We all might have loved nosing up to the manger and looking at the sweet baby Jesus.
We might have been pleased to be a guest at the wedding where He changed the water into wine.
We likely would have been inspired if we could have heard Him teach in person.
We certainly would not have wanted to miss being there for all the miracles He performed.
But what if He asks us to follow Him starting right now? What if He wants us to follow Him all the time and not just when we are up for it?
Surely He would understand if we have a few things to take care of first.
Once as Jesus was walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
He said to another man, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”
Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:57-62
Jesus did not promise an easy journey. He is going some places we would never choose to go. But wherever He takes us, it will be to light up the darkness and bring His Love and Mercy.
As a nurse, I cared for many who were suffering. They would not have chosen to be patients in beds of pain. And yet, even with their dying breaths, they ministered to me and others.
In every disaster, there have been both victims and helpers who carried The Love of Jesus forward.
Every disciple except John was killed for their faith. And John ended up in exile, where Jesus gave him The Words to write Revelations.
Many have given up their earthly lives for the joy of being with Jesus and inviting others to be with Him too.
But giving up our lives does not always mean giving up our earthly bodies right now. It means giving up the life we planned to live for The Life He has for us.
He is calling each one of us to fulfill our part of the mission. Listen for His next instructions. Be ready to go and don’t look back.
Here is the link to a place to begin.
