Bolder FaithSample

BOLDLY FOLLOW JESUS

“Follow me.”

I can visualize Peter and Andrew on the shoreline, standing with their dirty nets and their sweaty brows. I imagine them watching Jesus as He walks up to them and tells them to follow Him so they can learn “how to fish for people.”

It seems as if they instantly dropped those nets and did what Jesus asked. Was it that simple?

For the disciples and others who Jesus called, it seems that making the decision to follow Him was easy. As Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” But Peter and Andrew demonstrated that following Jesus comes at a price. Their lives testify that “the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult” (Matthew 7:14).

If Jesus walked up to you today, could you easily drop whatever nets you’re holding? Could you suddenly, without any reservation, say that you will follow your Lord and Savior?

To live a bold faith, we need to remember Jesus’ charge to His followers and pay close attention to what He has spoken to us. And then we need to follow Him.Jesus doesn’t say that following Him will be easy, but He still asks us to do it.

For three years, Jesus took Peter and Andrew and the other disciples on an amazing journey. They saw miracles, watched wonders, learned truths, and witnessed the glory of Jesus. They saw Him nailed to the cross. And then they saw Him risen. But first they had to follow.

Just like the early disciples, to come to the feet of Jesus, we first must follow Him. We must trust in and obey Him.

Is the noise in your life preventing you from trusting the call you’ve heard from God? Does the busyness of your day distract you from God’s presence? Pursuing Jesus wholeheartedly is a decision we make today and again tomorrow and every day after.

Dear heavenly Savior, help me to follow You with all that I am. Grant me Your mercy when I fail to follow You. Help me be bold in pursuing You, Lord, and sitting at Your feet. In Jesus’ name, amen.