“I don’t like it.”
“It doesn’t feel good.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Why do I have to?”
Do those words sound like a spoiled child or a rebellious teen? Perhaps. However, they may also reflect our attitude as reluctant Christians when God calls us out of our comfort zones.
I fear that we all too often give in to society’s mantra of, “If it feels good, do it.” The implied flip side says, “If it doesn’t feel good, don’t do it.” That mindset bombards us in music, movies, social media, magazines, and books. If we let down our guard, those misleading messages drown out God’s voice.
When God called James and John, they could have held on to the financial security and family ties they enjoyed as fishermen. Yet without hesitation, they left behind the life they knew to follow Jesus into an unknown future. And what a future they faced. Three years of ministry in the presence of the promised Messiah, a lack of material possessions but a wealth of spiritual truth, and the grief of the crucified Christ, followed by the joy of a resurrected Savior.
As He did with those men, Jesus calls us to follow Him, not looking back, not holding on to a me-first frame of mind. Like those fishermen, will we step forward without hesitation, leaving the comfort of our old life behind for our unknown future? We may not know the details of our ministry. Yet we rest securely in the peace and joy of a Savior who walks with us through this life and promises an eternal home in heaven.
You must choose. God’s Word or the world’s words. Your comfort or God’s call.
Diana Derringer is author of Beyond Bethlehem and Calvary: 12 Dramas for Christmas, Easter, and More! She writes for several publications and enjoys traveling with her husband and serving as a friendship family to international university students. She offers life lessons from English expressions at dianaderringer.com.