Have Faith During Life’s Changes

In Mark 1:1-20 the story of Jesus’ ministry picks right up with Jesus calling the first disciples to follow him.

Mark 1:16-20 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 send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.”

Now, we have the hindsight of knowing that Jesus is God. That he came to be the perfect man, live the perfect life, and be our perfect sacrifice.

But, Simon and Andrew didn’t know Jesus at all this first time that they meet him.  He is just some random guy that walks up to them, and tells them to leave everything they have ever known.  He tells them to give up their career… their livelihood… their relationships… 

…and follow him.

What does it say their response is?  “At once they left their nets and followed him.”

That takes guts.

Somehow, just meeting Jesus let them know in an instant that there is something special about him.  So special, that when he speaks… they listen.  When he commands… they comply.

Simon and Andrew, and then a little later James and John, are willing to make big changes to their lives because meeting Jesus let them know that it would be worth it. 

Sometimes in our lives God calls us to make big changes. He beckons us to step out of our comfort zone and trust him.  He says, “a relationship with me, is better, and more trustworthy than anything in your life.  Any comfort. Any security.  Any relationship.  Any plans.”

Here’s the thing:

It’s hard.

If you’ve ever been called to completely step out of what you’ve always known to follow Jesus, you know that it is not an easy thing to do.

We struggle.  We waver back and forth about if it is the right thing to do.  The reason that we struggle?  We aren’t sure that we can trust God that it will be good, or safe, or work out.

We feel more comfortable trying to make our own plans. We try to control our situations. God tells us what happens with our own plans-

Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

The point is, often we try to make our own plans but when we have a relationship with God, he steps in and makes changes to our lives.  And we can know that we can trust him because he tells us in 

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Change is hard.  But, when it comes from God… it’s always good.  When we meet him, like the first disciples, we’ll see that there is something special about Jesus.  And following him is always better than any other desire we might have.

To learn more about making good, hard changes in your life, check any of the links below: