06/16/25 The Call to Follow

Takeaway: Discipleship begins with Jesus’ invitation: “Follow me.”

Opening Prayer (Monday)

Heavenly Father, as a new week begins, I seek Your presence. Fill me with Your Spirit, renew my mind, and guide my steps. May I walk in faith and purpose today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection

Discipleship always begins not with our initiative, but with Jesus’. It is He who calls, He who invites, and He who takes the first step toward us. “Come, follow me.” These three words changed everything for Peter and Andrew, and they still echo today, calling each of us to a life that is not built around our own ambitions, but around God’s greater purpose. At first glance, Jesus’ call seems simple. There are no promises of comfort, no long explanations, no strategic plans laid out—just a call to leave where they are and who they’ve been, and to walk with Him. And yet, within that invitation is a radical summons to surrender: surrender of control, and of security.

Peter and Andrew were fishermen, men with livelihoods, families, and a daily rhythm they understood. Jesus didn’t ask them to be more moral where they were in life, He asked them to leave it. To follow meant abandoning their nets, their source of income and identity, and trusting that Jesus would give them a new direction. That is the essence of discipleship: trading what we know for what Christ will reveal to us. Discipleship is accepting the unfolding mystery of God’s purpose. Following Jesus is not about sprinkling a little faith into our existing lives, it’s about letting Him redefine what life itself means.

Surrender does not come easily. But the invitation to follow Him is also a promise: “I will send you out to fish for people.” In other words, Jesus doesn’t just call us away from something; He calls us toward something. A life of meaning. A mission rooted in love. A journey of transformation that we could never engineer on our own. He takes what we offer, our time, talent and treasure, and repurposes it for His kingdom.

Questions

How does it change your perspective to realize that discipleship begins with Jesus’ initiative and not your own efforts?

Where have you seen Jesus take something you offered and repurpose it for His kingdom work?

Application

Write down a specific way you can step out in faith this week, whether it’s serving someone, sharing your faith, or letting go of something that’s holding you back.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me to follow You. So often I want to stay where it feels safe and familiar, but I hear Your invitation to something greater. Teach me to trust You with what I don’t yet understand. Help me to surrender what I cling to and to follow You with a willing heart. Use my life for Your purpose and shape me into someone who reflects Your love and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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