Mind Meld of A Different Kind

MARK 1:16-20
One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.

A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.

Straightforward Priorities

I’m not a black and white guy. Sure there are absolutes; but far fewer than I once believed. In fact, there is only one absolute and Jesus himself, is that one shimmering black onyx leaping out of a sea of soft white pearls.

Every moral or spiritual code must be measured against this one absolute standard of Truth. Simon, Andrew, James, and John don’t understand this yet. But they take the leap and attach themselves to Jesus. They place him above their careers and their family. There are a lot groups that demand our loyalties, but few more powerfully than family and career.

These are at the heart of my life.

But Jesus comes along and calls out, “Follow me,” make me leader, shaper, and highest priority in your life! Give me your absolute loyalty. In Mark’s blunt, straightforward way, he shows us people who immediately walk away from career and family! There is nothing more important than Jesus and the Kingdom he brings.

I see the stark clarity of Jesus’ call. And I have given my life to it. But I’m still learning what it looks like to submit my career and family to him.

Father, I confess that at times my eyes glaze over and the onyx and pearls blur into grey. I struggle to flesh out this straightforward priority of absolute loyalty to you. Assist me today to live my career and family life through the mind of your Son, Jesus.