Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:61-62
When God Calls You
When God calls you forward, you must step out in faith, even if a thousand voices call you back.
When you see Jesus in front of you, heading in the direction he wants you to go, you must follow. No matter where He leads.
A voice inside of you may tell you to take one last glance back–to look back with longing at all that lies behind you. But this is not the voice of Jesus. It is the voice of everything safe and familiar, calling you back to what is comfortable and known.
But as believers in Christ, we must let go of everything that holds us back. Instead, we must [put our] hand to the plow and keep walking toward Jesus.
No Regrets
If we step out in faith, we will never have to live with regrets.
We will never find ourselves filled with sorrow over a wasted life.
Instead, with great joy, we will be able to celebrate the fact that when Jesus called us forward, we responded with a passionate “Yes!” and never looked back.
We may have missed out on the worldly comforts of this life, but we will know with absolute certainty that it was worth it.
Our lifetimes will not be a narrative of fear and self-preservation, but instead will tell of God’s power to change the world through His children.
Our lives will not illustrate the fact that everything else mattered just a little more than Jesus. They will display the fact that He was everything worth living for.
The Crucified Life
The crucified life is a radical choice in a world where it is easy to play it safe.
Undoubtedly, there is nothing more tempting than to go running back to everything familiar, especially when we do not know what lies ahead. However, God can give us the strength to do what is right, in spite of the sacrifices and costs, so that we can make a difference in this world for Him.
We may be afraid because of what we cannot see. But we must remember that Jesus is out ahead and there is no fear in Him.
So let us step out in faith to the life God has called us to!
We will never regret it or be ashamed.
And when we meet Jesus face-to-face, we will have much more to offer Him than the crumpled, worthless treasures of our wealth and self-indulgence.
We will be able to offer Him a scarred, yet beautiful life that looks just a little bit like His.
7 Verses to Encourage You to Step Out in Faith
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. 2 Corinthians 12:15
Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. John 12:26
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:23
