We are followers
It seems in the world in which we live it is hard to know whom to follow. Our natural tendency is to follow someone or at least try to mimic the life of someone we admire. Many people look up to celebrities, whether they are actors, singers, pastors, elders, parents, etc. Even when they fail in some way they will either defend them with all they have or they will get angry and discouraged that this person disappointed them. The sad news is humans will always disappoint. They will fail. We fail at times too.
So whom should we follow?
I am coming from a Christian perspective so what comes to my mind is something Jesus said when He was on earth.
Matthew 4:19, “And He said unto them, ‘Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.’”
As a Christian, we should be following Jesus and as we follow Him, He will make us a witness for Him. As I daily allow Christ to abide with me, He will give me the ability to attract others so that I can share the truth of God’s love.
What does it mean to follow Jesus?
Have you ever known someone who is so obsessed with someone or something it seems that is all they ever talk about? Or they may even do things just like the person as much as possible. What would it be like if we would become more “obsessed” with Jesus more than the things of this world?
Matthew 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 16:24, “…If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
In following Jesus we need to pursue Him and give up the things of this world, the things that will distract us from following Him.
As Christians, we have been given a commission and unless we are following Christ we cannot fulfill the commission that He has given us. We have been commissioned to bring others to the truth as it is in Jesus. To share His love and what He has done for us. Jesus wants to make us “fishers of men.”
So how does fishing have anything to do with winning souls to Christ?
I did a little research to see what methods were used in Bible times for fishing. They would do their fishing mostly at night, so the question would be why at night. They would throw out their nets and the light from their torches would attract the fish.
How do we apply this analogy to “fishing” for people?
I love the night analogy. As we allow the “torch” of God’s love to shine through us we will attract more people to us and then we can share the truth as it is in Jesus. If we are trying to attract with a “lure” and “hook” it will not be as effective. If we are shining, people will be drawn to us. They will be asking us why we have so much peace through the turmoil and why we are calm during the storms of life. Then we have the opportunity to point them to the One that we are able to trust through every situation.
Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, which is in heaven.”
What is our light?
Our light is the bright presence of Jesus in our lives. It is not from us but from Him. And we can only have this light as we allow Him full access to our lives so that He can live in us through the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 4:6, 7 “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the Excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
Dear Father,
Thank You that it is all about You, not us. Prompt our hearts, with every decision that we make, to do right. I know that as we spend time with You, You will show us the path to life. Thank You for Your love.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Give all to Jesus today and let Him shine through you.
Love you all.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Please share any thoughts below.