Devotion: WHY do You Follow?

As a kid I loved baseball. I watched it on TV, I went to local games, I collected cards of my favorite players and I even played the sport for ten plus years. You might say I was obsessed with baseball–so much so, that I would lie under my covers at night and listen to games on the radio until I feel asleep. I’ll admit it: I was a sports nerd in my baseball pajamas, under my sports covers, sleeping on my pillow that was shaped like a baseball.

What about you? What consumes your time and energy? What keeps you up late at night because you love it? We all have things we are passionate about. Some are good for you and some may be destructive. What if someone told you to drop everything you are currently doing so that you could follow them? Sounds crazy, right? Check this out:

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were 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.” (Matt 4:18-20)

These two brothers, and ten other young men, dropped everything they knew to follow Jesus! Why? Because they were chosen. Being chosen feels good, doesn’t it? Whether it’s for a team, a group project or as someone asking you out on a date–being chosen means you matter and are counted worthy.

Isn’t that what God shows us through Jesus? His sacrifice on the cross shows us that we matter, that we are worthy and that we are chosen. Isn’t that the reason we worship and seek to know God more? He is our Creator, our Life, our Shepherd, our Light, our Rock and our Savior. Because of this, I know God has plans for my life so I put my trust in Him and follow.

I still love baseball but I can say I am not as obsessed anymore. Besides, after I got married, my wife didn’t really like my sports-themed sheets anyway. I have found something far greater to put my energy and passion in and I must say that Jesus is worth it. Are you ready to follow Him?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank and praise You that you have chosen me to be Yours. You are worthy of all my praise for who You are and what You’ve done. Help me to better follow You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Published July 18, 2013

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