April 9

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” —MARK 1:17

The Bible records Jesus specifically calling six of His twelve disciples: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew and Philip. To these six men, Jesus said the same thing on each occasion - just two simple words: “Follow Me.”

When you stop to think about that, it seems like an inadequate invitation, doesn’t it? It’s interesting that none of them asked Jesus, “Where are You going?” I’ll tell you why. It’s because that is not the issue. The issue in Christian living and guidance is never about where we are going, or what will happen, but WHO we are going with.

At God’s calling, Abraham left his homeland not knowing where he was going. After 40 years, Moses came back to Egypt on a mission to free his people. Joshua entered the Promised Land, aware of great enemy forces he’d be facing. David, armed with only five small stones and a sling shot, stood before Goliath. There are many leading characters in the Bible called to a task who didn’t know what was going to happen, but they all had one thing in common. They knew who they were going with. The where, what, when and how are God’s business, and ours is to obey however limited His instructions.

If our security lies in knowing what is going to happen next and how we’ll fare, we will not enjoy a relationship with Christ Himself. To plant ourselves on familiar ground, staying where it’s safe and comfortable, we’ll rob ourselves of the adventure and excitement of the Christian life, and miss out on the best God has to give us. Abraham became the father of our faith; Moses freed his people; David defeated Goliath and Joshua conquered the Promised Land. Their security was not in themselves, or in knowing what would happen next but in God Himself.

The Christian life is lived out of a relationship with a God who is totally capable of guiding us in His own way and in His own time. Where we are going is irrelevant to discipleship. The question is will we follow God’s calling, trusting Him for the outcome?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I want to go with You. Help me to hear your call and to venture out, trusting You every step of the way. You are all I need. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: Am I allowing God to be the “Who” I’m going with and trusting Him for the details?