The inspiration for this post goes to Dylan Dougless aka ya boy D Dougie, one of my brothers in Christ who for better or for worse, in regards to my distraction from schoolwork, reminded me that one year ago today I was the most excited that I had ever been in my entire life. One year ago today my Work Crew session at Young Life’s Rockbridge Alum. Springs in Goshen, VA ended. I was leaving my amazing newfound community in which I had grown so close to in two short weeks. Among this community are some of the most Christ-like people that I have ever had the pleasure to encounter and call my life-long friends. It was in those two weeks that I devoted my life to Christ. One year ago today I was leaving Rockbridge, leaving my new friends, and leaving my safe paradise for what Jesus was calling me to really do, life my life for Him in a world that does the opposite. I just want to take some time to parallel this experience to a passage in the Gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 4:18-20 reads: As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Before I go further I’m going to get a little informal for the sake of not wanting anyone to miss this quote; that’s the most profound, bold, and straight baller thing that has ever happened. Picture this: This homeless guy walks up to two guys who aren’t just fishing for funzies, like they are fishermen. Their lives depend on catching those fish and selling them. It’s their profession, trade, and most likely life-long skill. And he says, hey stop doing that, you should come follow me around and I will teach you how to change people’s lives. And they didn’t say scram you bum, they literally dropped everything and followed him.
This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible, because in all seriousness it is so profound, and bold, and it’s what we are called to do as Christian’s. Yes, work crew is awesome, but when the time for that is over I was not called to wait until next summer, I was called to go tell others about Jesus because He equipped me with the knowledge and the boldness to do that. When I accepted Christ, in a way, it was like He walked up to me while I was living for myself and He said “Don’t you think you were meant for more than this? Don’t you think that your life can have more meaning? Come follow me, you’ll never be the same.” And because it was Jesus, because it was so bold, and profound, I didn’t have to think about it. I dropped everything and I followed Him. That’s what most Christ followers will tell you about their transformation from death to life. They knew that Jesus was calling them and the power in that call was not something to be ignored. I’m so grateful for Rockbridge and for those beautiful friends I made. Work Crew didn’t only change my life, it inspired this here blog you are reading. My life has never been the same, I’m so glad that I dropped my net.
Growing In Christ 