Here I am Lord

Have you ever noticed how other people's opinions tend to hold you back? When they ignore you, downplay your abilities, fail to notice what you bring … it's so easy to shrink back. To wait. To tell yourself, "Well, I'll step up when someone finally recognises me." Popular business author Scott D. Clary once said, "Be the one who reaches out. Text first. Call first. Plan first. Initialise first … Connection requires initiative. Friendship requires effort. Love requires action … Initiative is attractive." Okay, so he's a secular business guy. But let me tell you, Jesus expected the very same from His disciples.  Luke 5:10-11 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were amazed too. (James and John worked together with Simon). Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid. From now on your work will be to bring in people, not fish!" The men brought their boats to the shore. They left everything and followed Jesus. In the Kingdom of God, of course, it's Jesus who does the calling. Yet still, it's easy to shrink back, immobilised by the world's criticism. Jesus called those men to step out of their comfort zone, to leave their nets behind, and to follow Him. They could have come up with any number of excuses, rationalising why they should stay where they were. But they took the initiative and followed Him. And that's the call for us too. Not to usurp His authority, but under His hand, to follow first. To act first. To love first. To lead first. Because in Christ, initiative isn't arrogance. It's obedience. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.