God's Word: Live It!

Follow Me

Sunday we explored Matthew's Gospel regarding Jesus saying "follow me." The first disciples lived in a fishing port on the Sea of Galilee called Capernaum. Matthew says "immediately" they left their boats and town and families and followed Jesus. The boat represents where you and I are living now. The comfortable and predictable place we call home. Jesus can be a danger to our routine, its comfort and predictability.  How does one discern if Jesus is calling them? Here are a few guideposts:

  • Have you felt a stirring, a pesky repeating of a path you may want to follow?
  • Have you found yourself unsettled or unsatisfied or unfulfilled with your current comfortable 'boat'?
  • Would you feel a joy in making a sacrifice in response to Jesus' sacrifice for you?
  • Is there a particular societal problem, local, national or global that continues to sadden and frustrate you?

These are symptomatic of being called by Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. When this is happening to us we often ask what we can do next to open lines of communication between God and ourselves. Here are some suggestions:

 
  • The first place to start this process is praying for discernment. That prayer can be as simple as "Hey, Jesus! Are you asking me to do something?
  • The second step is discussion with that special person in your life who will help and support you, who knows you and respects your discernment.
  • A third step can include a discussion with a pastor or spiritual mentor who can listen carefully and add their prayers to your journey.
  • A fourth step requires patience. God operates in God's time which rarely matches time as we understand it. Answers can come slowly.
 

If I can be of any assistance please call. I would consider it a privilege to be a part of your calling!

Come and See

Sunday we wrestled with what it means to encounter Jesus. One of those moments when we know we're being pulled out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary. In the first chapter of John, Jesus was asked where he was staying and his response was, "Come and see." He is inviting us to follow him, to walk with him, to serve with him. This invitation is life changing. It requires commitment and sometimes moving out of the comfortable routine of our lives. However, we can be assured that if we hear an invitation from Jesus, then Jesus will be right there with us. Ultimately, we will find ourselves inviting others to "come and see." Come and see the abundant life giving love of God, the gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit, the nourishment of Holy communion and the warm embrace of Christian community. Backed by these gifts there is almost nothing we can't do or accomplish in the name of Christ. I could list any number of opportunities we have to follow Jesus at King of Glory, but I'm challenging you to listen to the call in your own life. I'm guessing most of us are wondering right now if we should make the leap to discipleship. You are asking yourself, "Can I really do that?" Whatever that is. The answer is YES! Christ is calling you to act in his name. In the fulfillment of that calling, you will fill your soul, nourish others, and find yourself making the same invitation to others that you received: "Come and see!"

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