January 20, 2012
Friday Blessings is brought to you by Interim Senior Pastor Fred Hill.
The One Who Hesitates, Loses
“And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him.”
Mark 1:17-18
Andrew, Peter, James and John’s response to Jesus’ invitation reminds me of the saying “He who hesitates, loses.” For our 25th wedding anniversary, La Nell and I visited the Queen’s Gallery near Buckingham Palace in London. We held a beautiful ceramic egg in our hands, placed it gently on the shelf, expecting to return later that afternoon to make our purchase. “Later that day” occurred several years later! With hopeful (unrealistic?) anticipation we entered the gallery, looked around at every shelf, and, voila – no ceramic egg to be found, anywhere. We learned a valuable lesson that day — if you like it, but it, now! It might cost less somewhere else, but that somewhere else might only occur in your dreams.
The gospel writer, Mark, announces the recent arrest of John the Baptist. Had the fisherman missed the news report, or, had they failed to connect John’s arrest with what would happen to them as followers of Jesus? Jesus also seemed undeterred in His invitation. Had He completed a risk/benefit analysis? Was He fully transparent with the fishermen regarding their future? Finally, imagine the expression on Zebedee’s face when James and John walked away from the family business. Years of hard work down the drain. A father’s dream destroyed in an instant. The hope of the boys inheriting the family business dashed to bits by this sudden turn of events. A parent saw only nightmarish days ahead. Would realism or idealism prevail?
Have you hesitated to make a decision? What was the result? What were the consequences? What were the benefits?
Followers of Jesus recognize that Jesus does not hesitate to make an invitation. Followers of Jesus recognize the cost of discipleship, both to Jesus and to themselves.
Two high school buddies and I went fishing along the Texas Gulf Coast during Spring Breakour Junior year. Our excitement over a large catch of fish early in the day led to disappointment when we inadequately secured our stringer line. We came away empty handed, except for a severe sunburn. Our youthful inexperience ended in failure. Guess we weren’t destined to be fishermen. Later, two of us were ordained as Lutheran pastors — an interesting turn of events!
To what is Jesus calling you today and where? Do not hesitate when He calls you. May your days be filled with God’s promises and with assurance that you are called to invite others into His kingdom.
PRAYER: Almighty God, by grace aloneyou call us and accept us in your service. Strengthen us by your Spirit, and make us worthy of your call, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
