they left everything...

and followed Jesus. Matthew says, "...he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him." Mark puts it this way, "And immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed Him." Luke simply says they left everything and followed him.

When you read the words of Luke with the words of Matthew and Mark, the enormity of the situation really bleeds through. They didn't just leave...they left their career (which was probably a business passed from generation to generation), as well as their dad...in a boat. Mark goes as far as to say they left immediately. They didn't jump out of the boat and swim (I'd like to think they got a little wet though); they rowed to the shore (kinda like Dina) and left everything behind (hallelu-jah).

Let's be honest...sometimes working in the ministry is hard. Sometimes I would like to just get up and go to my house in Waverly to hang out with my parents and reminisce about the way life used to be...you know...before God called me away from what was comfortable. I'm sure Jen would love to do the same, but that's not what I'm here for. Sure...I'd love to move closer to family, because it would be easier for my girls to see their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins; and I wouldn't have to use all of my vacation days to do so, but I have to remind myself of who I'm following. I'm here to follow Christ...wherever that may be. We've gotta get out of the vessel that keeps afloat the things which make us comfortable, and follow Him.

Sometimes we have to leave "everything."

JM