“I was reading in Luke’s gospel again this morning,” Stan began, “and I saw another good example for me in how I go about deepening my relationship with God.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“There is the account of Peter and his partners in the fishing business,” Stan replied. “They had a bad night of fishing. They had caught nothing. Not a single fish. It’s really hard to run a very successful fishing business if you don’t catch fish.”
Continuing, he said, “Peter and the others were cleaning their nets, ready to go home to rest from a night that was probably very frustrating. Jesus told them to put their nets in the deep water. They may not have wanted to do that, but they did so because Jesus told them to do it, and they caught so many fish that their boats began to sink.”
“That must have really helped the bottom-line of their fishing business,” I replied.
“I don’t think so,” Stan responded.
“Why?”
“Luke records that when they got their boats back to land, they left everything to follow Jesus. And,” he continued, “I think ‘everything’ means ‘everything’. They didn’t tell Jesus to hold on while they sold their fish, taking care of the proceeds. They didn’t say that they would be with Him after they got their nets cleaned again.”
“No,” Stan added, “it says they left everything to follow Jesus. And that is what I am supposed to do. I am to leave behind everything and anything that is in the way of my following after Jesus and what He has for me to be and to do.”
“Another instance,” I replied, “of discipleship. Deny self, take up what He has for me to take up, and follow Him.”
“Exactly,” Stan said. “The only question for me is will I leave ‘everything’ that is in the way of following Jesus the way He intends. I just have to remember that ‘everything, means, well, ‘everything’!”
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And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him. Luke 5:11.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you want me to follow you, whatever the cost, wherever you want to lead. Thank you for making it clear that you want me to leave everything that is in the way of my following you as you intend. I confess that too often I do not leave everything that may be in the way of following you. I tend to want to hold on to what I want to hold on to. I say that I will be with you “later”. Please forgive me. And please help me in following you exactly as you want so I will truly be the disciple you intend. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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Things to think (and journal) about:
1. What is your biggest take-away from this devotional?
2. What does this devotional say about God and about us as His people?
3. What is God saying to you to do personally?
4. Who can you share this with to make a difference?
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Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.
Waiting for the Train 