Jesus called out to them, “Come and follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they [left their nets] at once and followed Him.
Mark 1:17-18
Leave Your Nets
I am not sure about you, but I love to hear people’s life stories. Where they were and how they arrived to where they are today. When I was 13 years old I attended a private Christian school while growing up in a northern suburb of San Diego, California. One evening, while attending an end of the season athletic banquet, the guest speaker, 25 minutes in to his communication time, closed his message with something like this:“I ask that everyone bow their heads and close their eyes. I’m going to ask you a question. If you were to die tonight, and stand before God in heaven, and God were to ask you, 'Why should I let you into My heaven?' What would you say? Are you absolutely certain that you would spend eternity in heaven? If the answer is no, I ask you to please stand up.”To be completely transparent, I heard this question posed week in and week out. I grew up hearing this same question over and over again in my home, in my church and in my school. Maybe you have too. However, that night, June 3, 1976 something was different. Something happened deep in my heart and soul. I was convicted over the reality of my own death, sin and need of forgiveness. Later that night at 11pm, I called my dad into my bedroom and personally invited Jesus Christ into my life. I asked Jesus to forgive me of all my sins, and surrendered my life to following Him. That night, I “Left My Nets” and followed Jesus. That night, I moved from spiritual death to spiritual life.Listen Closely: the same call still goes out today. It’s elementary in its wording—but profound in its message. To everyone, Jesus still bids:“Leave your nets and follow me!”Leave your nets. Leave your old way of life. Break with your past—your sense of self reliance and your own self identity. Fully embrace the future with Jesus. That’s what a disciple does. They “Leave Their Nets” and Follow Jesus. Throughout the New Testament Jesus repeated the same message again and again. That message hasn’t changed today.
- Come and See!
- Come and Follow!
- Come and Remain!
- Come and Go Out!
Listen, there is only one way to follow Jesus, and that is complete surrender. Not partially. Not half way. Not being a fence rider. Not having one foot in and one foot out. Not being “religious” on Sunday morning—but living like the world Monday through Saturday. No! You’re either all in or you’re all out. There is no in-between. Faith in Jesus must be personal, but it cannot be private.Jesus Loves You!“Leave Your Nets” and “Follow Him”Love God. Love People. Live Sent.Be Worth Being,KevinSUBSCRIBE TO "OVER THE HUMP" DEVOTIONALKevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 42 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.
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