I started reading the Gospel by Matthew again and came across that verse again in
Matthew 4:22 "and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed HIM (Jesus)." Once again I was reminded that this is just normal when we call ourselves followers of Christ. It is normal to leave everything behind. In this verse the word "everything" was summed up into two words; BOAT as the first one and FATHER as the second one. The boat here speaks of James and John livelihood here, their source of income or occupation, work, job, whatever you call it nowadays. The point is the brothers had that amazing courage to leave the earthly source of their living because their spirit knew that what they are trading for is the source of eternal living. The second one is the word father which everyone of us can relate as leaving our family behind. Family is one of the most important part of us and these brothers never think twice but IMMEDIATELY took an action and put their faith in active mode and went on following Christ even they knew in their hearts that they might not see their family again. Was that easy? I am sure it's not. It's amazing how God really speaks. I just woke up one very ordinary morning like every morning and somehow I felt that God knew He needs to give me this mind blowing yet simple verse to meditate on. He knew the verse will comfort me because I know He knew by this, the more I will know that I am doing the right thing. But also challenging on one side because He is showing me that this is really how it is to be done. It is total surrender. It needs great courage to be able to abandon a life we get really used to and trade it will a life that is full of uncertainties and unknown but, by doing so our faith gets to a greater measure that of the uncertainties this can bring we are certainly SURE who we are doing it for. John and James did not just any how drop everything behind, they had that courage to do it because their spirit recognize who they decided to follow. They had that courage to shift from being fishermen to be fishers of men because it is God, it is the Spirit of God who have convicted them. It will never be easy to obey and follow God but it comes natural when we know why we need to. It is not easy but it is possible. I salute what the apostles did many years ago but it is our turn NOW! Take Courage! It is not easy but if we don't stop getting comfortable with the life this world presented enticing and never get satisfied to get what it can offer we will never really gonna live our lives to the fullest. Our life is more than just the job we do, our status in life and our family. There is a greater call for all of us courageous women and men of God. Let us response to that call! ~Read Matthew 4:18-25
I know most of us, at least most have heard the story of Joseph and his brothers and that time when Joseph plotted a scheme to his brothers on their way back to their father after buying food from Egypt because of the famine that is happening to the land. As part of Joseph test he asked his servants to put his silver cup to Benjamin's bag to frame him up of stealing and he wants to see what the other brothers will do. Surprisingly, instead of seeing the same scenario of what happened to him the brothers did not let Benjamin be taken away. Judah at that moment took the COURAGE to speak out to Joseph whom that time they did not know the true identity. He speak out his concerns for his brother Benjamin even he knows that he is talking to a high official of Egypt. Judah pleaded to be a replacement of Benjamin instead to be a slave. It is a courageous thing to do to take someone's place of suffering out of Love. Jesus even said what better love is this than to give our own life for a friend. Jesus himself took our place in the cross and suffered and died for us. Judah is about to do the same thing for Benjamin and he is willing to take his place of punishment to preserve the life of their Father. It is amazing that Judah took the responsibility to the word he have given to his Father. Israel have entrusted Benjamin to him and truly it is of great courage to be able to take responsibility of the decisions that we make even in the midst of failure. He did not backed out from the test and he chose to be COURAGEOUS to stand to be in authority over his words. He chose to be courageous and accept the fate that is awaiting out of unfortunate situation and he is ready to sacrifice and suffer for the benefit of others. It is an amazing showcase of courage. Have you been in the situation that you need to choose to suffer instead of letting other suffer? Genesis 44:33New King James Version (NKJV) 33 Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. Read Genesis 44:18-34 There are different types and degree of courage. When we talk about courage it’s not just about showing our strength. Don’t you know that it takes much portion of courage to show our vulnerability? Most specially for men. It is not easy to show our weaknesses to others and moreover IT TAKES SO MUCH COURAGE TO FORGIVE. Forgiving someone without them being sorry is some kind of courageous act. Jesus did that himself but if we will look back in the old testament what Joseph (the dreamer) did to his brothers in Genesis 45:1-7 was such a brave and courageous thing to do. Instead of anger and revenge Joseph chose to show sympathy and love and forgiveness to his brothers and even encouraged them. It was really bold. Have you ever been hurt by anyone you love? By friends, colleagues and most painful will be is by our family? If yes, and I believe we all have experienced that. We will totally be going to relate with Joseph, but hopefully we can learn from his story.
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AuthorI am a FOLLOWER OF CHRIST Cleverly disguised as an Architect who loves to share my experiences and encounters with God in every simple and possible way to the people out there who needs to hear Gods' greatness and goodness. Archives
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