It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: “The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives.” Romans 1:16-17 Message

All of the people Jesus encountered were just going about their business, living life as they had always done. Some under oppression, some in fear, some bound by sickness and poverty, but all of that changed for those who paid attention to His message and followed Him. It was unusual, at best. They were hearing words of life, hope and love. An unconditional love that threatened their very existence. What would happen to their ‘normal’ lives if they followed Him?

What about you? What would happen to your life if Jesus came to you and said, “Follow me!” Would you respond with, ‘Wait until I retire ’or ‘I need to take care of my parents first’ or ‘I have no talent or gift’. Or would you just follow and trust Him to equip you with what you needed, to do what He’s asked you to do? He has heard every excuse in the book, yet He keeps asking, “Will you forsake everything, pick up your cross and follow me?”

Let me be clear on something; this call to follow will involve sacrifice, rejection, humiliation and heartache, but its reward is, unconditional love, forgiveness, power to overcome, provision and eternal life. His peace and joy will be your guard. You will gain fellowship with God on a deeper level then you could ever imagine. Your faith will grow exponentially as you learn to trust in the unseen rather than what you see in the natural.

Here’s the jarring truth; He’s already called you and equipped you. He’s only waiting on you to lay down your ‘normal’ life for His Kingdom. How long will you keep Him waiting, till you get strong enough to lift your cross? You can’t wait until all your ducks are in a row or your 401K get’s big enough to support you. It won’t get easier if you wait, it will only be harder to let go. Your excuses will turn into complacency, which will turn into procrastination, which equates to disobedience.

Father, may we burn with passion for Your purpose, a passion for souls. The things that make us uncomfortable are the very things You’ve called us to. You didn’t go to the rich and well fed, You went to the poor, the lost and the hurting. You weren’t concerned with who would fund the Great Commission. You even told the disciples not to take anything with them, that You would provide everything they needed. What’s wrong with us? Do we think You’ve changed? Become poor or needy? Are we so accustomed to providing for ourselves that we no longer know how to be dependent on You? Forgive us for our selfish ambition and lack of compassion. We will follow You and know that You’re in us. We will trust You so that we can really live. It’s in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen