“I had to have Randy of Randy’s Roofing come by the house yesterday,” Stan commented.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Just having the roof checked to see if everything is okay before the fall rains start, but I was concerned the rain might start before he got there.”
“Why, was he late?”
“Yeah,” Stan replied. “He apologized for being a couple of hours late, but said he got stuck with an earlier appointment and couldn’t give me a call because he didn’t have any cell service.”
“But everything worked out?”
“It did. Randy’s a nice guy. Fellow believer. When he was done with his inspection, we had a chance to talk about the importance of not being late for the train.”
“In what way?” I asked.
“Randy told me how he wondered about some of the early disciples who followed Jesus right away. He said that he always felt kind of bad that it took him such a long time to follow Jesus. He wondered why he didn’t respond the way Mark’s gospel records about Levi the tax collector.”
“As I remember that story,” I responded, “Levi dropped everything and followed Jesus as soon as Jesus said, ‘Follow Me’.”
“That’s right,” Stan replied, “and, to me, the important part is that he followed as soon as he heard what Jesus said. It’s the same with me, with Randy, and with everyone who finally hears what Jesus says. That’s when the crucial decision has to be made.”
“What crucial decision?” I asked.
“Whether or not the person responds in obedience. It may take a long time to hear what Jesus says, but once a person truly hears His ‘Follow Me’, that’s the time to decide.”
Continuing, he added, “As with me, it took a long time, way too long, to finally hear Jesus’ voice, but once I did finally hear it, that’s when I made the decision. I was late in coming to Christ, but better late than never!”
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Bible versess to consider:
And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alpheus sitting in the tax office, and He said to him, “follow Me!” And he rose and followed Him. Mark 2:14.
Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:13-15.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your provision of salvation and redemption through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus so I can look forward to spending eternity in your presence when my time here is complete. Thank you for bringing me to the truth so I finally heard the voice of Jesus saying, “Follow Me.” As you know, I was slow in hearing His voice, but I am thankful I did hear and I did respond. Please help me in setting aside everything that can get in the way of following Jesus as you intend for all of the time I have remaining here. Please help me however you want so that others may hear your voice and the voice of Jesus through me. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in His glorious name. Amen.
Think on this: Have you heard the voice of Jesus saying, “Follow Me”? If so, what did you do in response? If you have not yet heard His voice, what might be in the way? Once you do hear His voice, the time for the crucial decision is at hand. Remember that it’s better late than never when it comes to following Jesus. Don’t be late and miss the train! If you have already made the decision to follow Him all the way to heaven, how are you doing in following Him on this side of eternity? How are you doing in being a part of helping others to hear his voice?
Waiting for the Train 