First Read Luke 9:59-62
"Family" - Laura Kreger
I sit at a card table solving my 5,000-piece jigsaw puzzle. I know my picture doesn’t match the glossy one on the box, but not all the pieces are in yet. Follow you? Yes, Lord, just a few more pieces and I’ll be set.
My frame is done—the corners, the straight edges, the degree, the job. Next I need to fill it in. Maybe more school for a better job. See that big hole? It might take awhile: more Bible, more books, more art. You know, God, a husband would make this go faster, someone to help. Did that piece get kicked under the couch?
Pieces for parents, nieces, grandma, friends. People need me, they come first. Buying groceries, washing dishes. Tedious to-do list pieces need to be placed too. Is this blue more blue than that blue? I’m hunched over the table with bloodshot eyes. I’m so close.
Suddenly, the door flies open and a wind whips through the room, overturning the table, sending pieces flying. The floor is a mess. The box, crumpled. Through the open doorway, a voice: “Follow me.”
Not when I think I’m ready. Now.
I peek out. The scene from the box stretches as far as I can see, and farther. With light. Depth. Completion. I unclench my fists. All of this—free? Free.
Anxiety begins to melt. Christ takes my hand and leads me into his picture.
Reflections
Look at the encounters Jesus had with three of his disciples. He challenges the comfortable disciple (vs. 57-58), the convenient disciple (vs. 59-60) and the distracted disciple (vs. 61-62). Which disciple do you relate to the most?
Clearly Jesus is not calling us to neglect our family or the responsibilities before us. But he is calling us to follow him, listening intently for what that may look like on a daily basis. Comforts, convenience and preserving our life choices can easily get in the way of following Jesus. How have these three things kept you from following Him?
Take a moment to listen to the Holy Spirit and ask him to reveal any idolatry that may be present in your life.
Turn from your sin and turn your face toward Christ.