Follow me

Each and every day for the Christian should be 'Thanksgiving Day' as we consider from whence He has taken us and where our hope for eternity lies.
There is not one soul alive that deserves to be saved and none is worthy of cleansing from sin. We are saved by grace, through faith and even that is a gift from God.
God alone can change lives.

I was thinking this morning of the years that have passed since first I started praying for my family. They are still strangers to grace and to God. Is it my fault? Has my witness been so poor that they do not want to follow the God their Dad loves? Has my life made Christ unattractive to them?

I can only dream of what life would be like if all those sitting at my table were united in Christ. My heart nearly explodes with joy at the prospect. I will continue to persevere in prayer for them as long as I have breath in my body. If only they would hear the words of Jesus today as keenly as Levi heard them. I pray that one day we will all be found ploughing the same field.

'Follow me.'

Two simple words - yet life changing for Levi and thousands of others who have heard them through the centuries. He did not hang about. He left all, rose up and followed Jesus. This portion of Scripture is beautiful in its simplicity.

I wonder how much of my old life remains with me today. Have I truly 'left all behind?' I cannot think of anything today that I desire more than a closer communion with my Lord, yet I 'feel' so polluted and tainted with the grime of this world in which I live. It seems as though I am stained with a pollutant that refuses cleansing.

True, I long to be different, and to have a witness that shines in this dark world. But it seems as though I have been seeking to have that witness all my days without making any progress.
I cannot but hang my head in shame as I consider how little I do in the Name of Jesus. I have let me Lord down on more occasions that I care to remember yet He bears no grudge!

Will I ever attain to the level of Christian living that I desire?

I, probably more than most, realize the brevity of my time on Earth. I am constantly desiring a new start, a greater commitment and a mind and heart devoted to my Saviour.
There have been days when I have determined within myself to be more devoted to Christ. On such days I may have found my mind and soul saturated with spiritual blessings.

More often than not, having rested my head on my pillow and expecting songs in the night, I have awakened the following morning with not a spiritual thought in sight!
Why is it that I let so much nonsense invade my thinking? Is this the norm or am I simply a poor example of what a Christian should be?

Levi took Jesus back to his own house and made a great feast for Him. The scribes and the Pharisees asked, 'Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?' But Jesus answered, 'They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.'

This last statement makes my heart rejoice.

I am in more need of my Saviour today than ever I was, and I love Him more today than ever I did. On this 'Thanksgiving Day' morning I am happy to follow the One who is Altogether Lovely.
He has led me in ways that I could never have imagined - even through illness and pain - and my affection for Him has only grown through my experiences.

'Follow me.'

Yea Lord, I will follow wherever You lead me. The truth of the matter is this. I love my Saviour and I want the rest of the world to love Him also. Salvation is an offer to whosoever will. If I could pass it on or give it to you then I would certainly do so.

If the imperfect love in my heart desires the salvation of your soul, how much more does the perfect love of Christ desire it for you? If you hear these words and accept them as Levi did, then 'Thanksgiving Day' will have a brand new meaning for you. I pray that will be the case.