Up Strolls Jesus

“As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.” Mark 1:16-18

Jesus wasn’t anywhere on their radar screen. They were simply doing what they had done thousands of times before. I am sure that time of the day was when they always were casting their nets. No doubt they had a routine that marked every minute of every day. Since this was their trade it was something for which they were familiar and could count on for their livelihood. Then up strolls Jesus…and their lives are radically intersected with His! Nothing would ever be the same. Jesus knew where to find them and how to call them. He used terms that they would understand on some deep level. They didn’t understand the overarching call but they did understand the importance of the call, their conviction to surrender and their desire to learn all this man had to teach.

Jesus will stroll up in our lives in the same way – He meets us where we are and knows where our talents lie. Like our obedient fisherman, we must be willing and open to the intersections of Christ. At the point of our crossroads it is essential that we have three attitudes of the heart.

Become God-centered. ‘Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…’ Hebrews 12:2. We must turn our self-focus outwardly and turn our God-focus inwardly. We must look to Him for guidance and focus on Him in all areas of our lives.

Surrender our desires. ‘If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’ Luke 9:23. We must surrender the desires of our own heart and pick up the desires of His heart. “To deny self means to reject your personal choices, decisions, habits, desires, comforts and preferences if they conflict with God’s will.” By Faith, p. 42.

Have a teachable spirit. ‘Teach me your ways so I may know you…’ Exodus 33:13. We must lift this prayer to know Him and His will. Having a teachable spirit is paramount in our knowledge and education of God. Having an open mind and heart is essential in our fellowship with Him and enhances our intimacy with Him.

And up strolls Jesus…