IMMEDIATELY!

"18) And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two
brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the
sea; for they were fishermen. 19) Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will
make you fishers of men.” 20) They IMMEDIATELY left their nets and followed
Him. 21) Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of
Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending
their nets. He called them, 22) and IMMEDIATELY

they left the boat and their father, and followed Him."

Matthew 4:18-22, NKJV

Immediately. Without an interval of time. NOW. As soon as the command to follow left Jesus' mouth, these men dropped what they were doing and followed Him. Peter and Andrew, James and John asked no questions, made no excuses, hesitated not in the least bit. They left their way of life and followed after Him.

These guys had no idea what their futures were about to entail. They had no idea where this road was about to lead them. Peter had no clue he would be a key player in the building of the church. Andrew did not know he would die a martyr's death for the sake of Christ. The last thoughts on the minds of James and John, the Sons of Thunder, were that the zeal of one would have him martyred and the other would be exiled to the island of Patmos where he would pen the book of Revelation. They had no idea, but they were willing to follow. Plain ordinary fishermen, turned extraordinary because of their immediate obedience to Christ.

Had they stayed in the boat that day, they would have missed out on an amazing journey with the Lord. Had they stayed in the boat that day, they would not have witnessed miracle after miracle. Had they stayed in the boat that day, they would not have seen the church grow and flourish. Had they stayed in the boat that day, they would not have walked side-by-side with the precious Son of the Most High God. Had they stayed in the boat that day... BUT they did not stay in the boat that day. They jumped ship and followed Jesus into the unknown waters of life with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Peter, Andrew, James, and John left the comfort of daily fishing and became some the greatest fishers of men that we know today.

I've read this passage numerous times in the past; this week it sparked a flame deep down in my soul. When God speaks, IMMEDIATELY I must listen. When God instructs, IMMEDIATELY I must obey. When God calls, IMMEDIATELY I must respond. When God says "Go!", IMMEDIATELY I must leave the comforts of my ship and follow. If I hesitate I am missing out on amazing blessings from the Lord.

Sweet friends, will you jump ship today and follow Christ?