The Meaning and Result of Following

And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Mark 1:17 (New American Standard Bible)

I have often missed key phrases within a verse and in doing so I have missed precious promises given by God. Within today’s verse is one command and one promise. Jesus told two brothers to follow Him. That was the command. Then He gave the promise, “I will make you become fishers of men.” If I miss the fact that Jesus is the one making them what He is calling them to do and be, then I will in turn miss the fact that He is making me what He is calling me to do and be as I follow Him. It is the epitome of Isaiah’s words that He is the Potter and I am the clay.

Following involves obedience and trust. It always sandwiches me between God’s command and His promise. It is not a matter of figuring things out for myself, determining my “game plan”, and then mustering up the strength and ability to carry it out. It is a matter of learning to listen to God’s voice throughout my day and doing what He tells me to do. Following Him is not a one time event but rather a moment by moment yielding. And what does that look like?

When someone offends me, my “following” is forgiveness. When I am going about my day at work, my “following” is doing my job faithfully and to the best of my ability. When an opportunity for witnessing opens up, my “following” is to share what I know to be true about God. When things do not go my way, my “following” is acceptance and submission to my Father’s will. When I am aware of sin in my life, my “following” is confession and repentance. No matter what the situation is, God’s Word and God’s Spirit in me will always let me know what the “following” is to be. And it is His grace, not my self effort, that will help me to follow.

As I walk in obedience, He is the one making me whatever He chooses to make me. I don’t have to worry that time will run out before He is finished. I don’t have to help Him out. I just simply need to follow. He created me and called me with a full picture of my life in view. He will use many tools, people, and situations to make me His masterpiece. Today is just one of many days whereby I do the following and He does the making.

Father, I trust You to finish the work You have started in me. Give me the wisdom, discernment, and desire to hear You clearly and follow You whole heartedly. Amen.