The adventure of a lifetime

“Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Mark 1:17

When Jesus called the apostles, He walked by them and simply said, “Follow Me.” That was it – neither more nor less – unless you add the words, “And I will make you fishers of men!” When the apostles heard Jesus, they walked away from their nets and followed Him.

Let me point out four things about following Jesus.

1. Following Him is a day-by-day, one-step-at-a-time experience. When you stay close to Him, He will give you just enough light to see where you must place your next step.

2. Following Him is rather scary until you understand He is more powerful than anything that will ever confront you. You are going to face the storms in life whether or not you follow Christ. The only thing that will make a difference is whether or not He is in the boat with you. Matthew 8 tells us that Jesus rebuked the storm and peace came to the troubled waters – and the troubled apostles.

3. Following Him is challenging. He told the apostles that they must deny themselves, take their cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). Anyone who carries his cross has no agenda apart from that of the One he follows. If that isn’t challenging, nothing is.

4. Following Him is rewarding. “I will make you fishers of men,” He promised to those who had walked away from their nets. When you fish for men, you receive a trophy of grace, a testimo     ny to the fact that Jesus Christ still changes the lives of those who will follow Him.

It’s the adventure of a lifetime that begins with a first step.