I was going about my business when there was a knock on my door. Who could that be, I wondered? I went to answer and there stood a man. He was tan, wind chapped, thin, and with a gentleness in his eyes that I had never seen before in anyone. He seemed familiar somehow, but at first I couldn't pin point it. He looked at me and said, " I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I'm here to invite you to follow me. I have many things I want to share with you and I want to have a relationship with you that is deeper than you can even imagine at this moment." Then it struck me; Here stood Jesus, at MY door, asking ME to follow Him. We'd had a long distance, on-and-off relationship for a while now, but I never really imagined that He'd actually show up at my door and personally ask me to live with Him. I wasn't really ready. My hair was a mess, I hadn't picked up my house, the dirty dishes were still in the sink.... But He didn't ask to come in, He was asking me to follow Him. Then He said, "there is one condition, you must leave everything behind; follow me and don't look back." I thought of Lot's wife... she looked back. I thought of the rich young ruler... Then I thought of what giving everything up entailed: my computer, my books, my family, my comfort, my favorite TV shows, my music, my special foods, my hope chest, my job, my car, my clothes, my pictures with all their memories, my fears, my desires... Am I going to hold on to one of these things and forfeit the privilege and joy of following Jesus? Why was this decision even a struggle, the disciples made it sound so easy? And yet it was. I felt torn. What would my life be like with Jesus? He looked at me with a mixture of deep love and entreaty as I struggled with the decision. I knew I had to decide, He wasn't going to stand at my door forever. I kind of wanted both, but I knew I couldn't have both.
Finally, with tears streaming down my cheeks I told Him that I wanted to follow Him and leave everything, but that I would need His help because I'd been a prisoner to some of these things for so long. (Why had this decision been so hard? Deep down it's what I had wanted the whole time, but I had put it off for so long that when the decision had to be made, I wavered.) A tear sparkled in His eyes as He reached out His hand and took my trembling one in His. "I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Seek first my kingdom and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not fear, for I am with you. I will strengthen you and help you. "
The emptiness I felt as I walked out the door leaving everything behind was immediately filled with an incredible peace and joy. He looked at me again and said, "don't be anxious about anything, but if you ever feel weak, scared, tempted to turn back, lonely, or sad just talk to me. If you need anything, ask. I will be with you always.... Oh, I have so much I want to share with you."
Friends, He came to my house today.... He's coming to your house next, or maybe He's already knocking. He will ask you to follow Him and you too will have to make a decision.
Jesus' words are found in: Matt 6:25, Isa 41:10, Php 4:6, Matt 28:20
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