I was reading an article this morning entitled, “Don’t Miss The Boat” by Bonnie Jones off the Elijah List. She had a vision of a small boat being boarded by people. Suddenly a woman ran back to take care of some unfinished business. People yelled, “The boat is leaving now!” but she continued to walk away. Suddenly, she looked back and ran frantically toward the water but it was too late, the boat was already launched and there were no oars for them to return to her.

Then I thought of Luke 9:57-62: They were all traveling along the road. Someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you anywhere you go.”  He answered, “The foxes have holes to live in. The birds have nests. But the Son of Man has no place where he can rest his head.” Jesus said to another man, “Follow me!” But the man said, “Lord, let me go and bury my father first.”  But Jesus said to him, “Let the people who are dead bury their own dead. You must go and tell about God’s kingdom.”  Another man said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus said, “Anyone who begins to plow a field but looks back is not prepared for God’s kingdom.”

God is looking for a people who will leave the comforts of their earthly life for the Kingdoms sake. Those who feel the call, are hungry for more but look back or go back to take care of their flesh needs or desires are not prepared. It says it right there in Luke, I didn’t make this up. This is what it means to follow Jesus, read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus said, “Come and follow me!” What did they do? They left everything to follow Jesus! Everything and everyone. That’s why there were so few. No one was ready or willing to make that kind of sacrifice.

Today, the same call, the same few. Who will lay down their self will, their daily business, their own comfort for the Kingdom? “Wait for my mom and dad to die, then I’ll be free to serve you,” or “Wait till I retire, it’s only in a few years, than I can be free to go and follow you!” Jesus is looking for those who will forsake all but we are still trusting in our own self and our own means to do what only God desires to do for us. You may say, ‘These are different times! God wouldn’t ask us to do that now days. It’s just not acceptable anymore. How would we support our families? Where would we get health insurance?’ Me me me me me. If I don’t take care of it, who will?

Do you see that? It’s the woman running back to take care of something before boarding the boat and she missed it. I don’t want to miss it! I don’t want to be so full of the cares of this life and deceitfulness of riches that I miss following Jesus at one of the most important times of life. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Father, there’s a battle going on in my soul. One that rends my heart in two. Part of me, a large part of me wants to run after you, leave everything for you. The other part, the ‘responsible’ part, is having a difficult time doing that. I trust you but I’m afraid. What will it look like? What will it feel like? I’m excited but scared. If I take this plunge, if I go ‘all in’ for the Kingdom, I know you’ll never leave me or forsake me. I know you’ll use me in ways I’ve never been used before. I know that my steps are ordered and you have territory for me to take for you. I hear you calling, “Follow me!” Take all my reservations now, all that’s holding onto my heart, all the cravings of my flesh I’ve become used to, I lay it all down. Let’s do this! I am Remnant!