Pause

There’s nothing like a sense of urgency to get folks moving. An emergency causes immediate action.

Placing faith in Christ is not the result of emergency, but immediate opportunity! What do these next moments provide – right now – for you in your journey as a believer?

Listen

As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Mark 1:19-20

Think

When I first considered becoming a pastor, I knew in my heart that this was what God wanted me to do, but I was afraid. I didn’t want to go to school in a state where I’d never lived. I was scared of what others might think of me. As soon as I took that first step, telling my parents that seminary was for me and filling out the application, God gave me strength for the next step.

Sometimes this is what believing and following God is all about. Yes, acknowledging that we are nervous. Yes, acknowledging that hard, life-changing decisions are involved. Then simply taking the next step. This is exactly what James and John did when Jesus showed up in their town and said “Follow me.” They left their family. They left their home. They simply followed Jesus.

What is God calling you to do as the next step? Take some time to think about it, and even consider talking to a parent, a teacher, or a pastor if you need some help.

Elizabeth Evans Hagan

Pray

Lord, I have no idea where the journey of following you will take me. But I do know that you ask me to always take the next step as you lead. Keep me following you today. Amen.

Go

As we work together with him we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you." See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!

2 Corinthians 6:1-2