The Best Possible Choice For The New Year

THE BEST POSSIBLE CHOICE FOR THE NEW YEAR

The time has come.  It's a new year.  Season of celebrations and holidays has come and gone for another year.  The time has come to move into the adventure and responsibilities of the new year.  God's invitation to us in this new year is to turn away from all of the past that distracts us and believe that life following God is better than anything else.

                                               

Jesus went into Galilee. He preached God’s good news.  “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Turn away from your sins and believe the good news!” One day Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee. There he saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were throwing a net into the lake. They were fishermen.  “Come. Follow me,” Jesus said. “I will make you fishers of people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Then Jesus walked a little farther. As he did, he saw James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat preparing their nets.  Right away he called out to them. They left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men. Then they followed Jesus.   (Mark 1:14-20 NIRV)

Jesus came across some men who were busy doing their jobs.  They were ordinary men working hard and living ordinary lives.  They had fish to catch and clean and get to market.  The quality of life of many in their town around them depended on the good work they did to provide fish for the family table.  Into this ordinary pattern of life steps Jesus with a startling command, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of people."  Although they were responsible men, they immediately left their nets and their boats and followed Jesus. 

Jesus is close to us.  Jesus sees us in our ordinary lives.  Jesus wants us to experience life more deeply and meaningfully than what we can possibly imagine. God has a plan for our lives -- He had it in mind when He created us. Only by noticing God's nearness, listening for God's voice and following what He tells us to do will we ever experience the richness and satisfaction God has prepared for us.  Simon and Andrew, James and John didn't know what lay ahead of them but years later they would tell you it was the best choice they ever made to follow Jesus. 

Make the best possible choice for 2014.  Choose to get to know and to follow Jesus.

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