I see that a preoccupation with activity  can fill our hearts more than Him and stifle the life of the Spirit within us. These self -indulged pursuits will play a significant role in reducing our dependence upon Jesus and keep our focus on the visible.

I listened to a dear lady from Zimbabwe on the BBC Radio today talking about the ‘sentence of death’ that hangs over her life and many others since becoming a member of the MDC Party led by Morgan Tsvangirai. We feel so deeply for those who have paid a price for freedom in that country and many other parts of the world.

Yet, I thought how easy it is to forget in this western society that there are many unseen dangers of which we should be aware including the convenient lifestyle which keeps us dependent upon a system that is based upon this world order and not God’s kingdom.  Economics, Politics and the cultural systems of men [including religion] we have looked to are being shaken to the core and causing fear, insecurity and disillusionment in many!

Simon and Andrew were fishing when Jesus called them to follow. Their lives would never be the same! Jesus went to work on his disciples – “Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering, embrace it. Follow Me and I’ll show you how. Self –help is no help at all.”

There is a relentless power at work within us changing and transforming the way we think and feel towards Father God. It is for this very purpose that we are called away from the visible and tangible to the invisible and sure! He is bent on transforming us to be who we are meant to be – a people for His very own. It is for this purpose we are called to follow. So we fix our eyes on Him.

Let us allow the lavish, [great in quantity and richness], generous and extravagant love of Jesus to wash away all of the filth [unbelief, disillusionment, pain and mediocrity] of this tarnished world. May each of us experience the intensity of a Father’s jealous love for his children and be drawn to follow afresh once again with desire, ardour and zeal for the spotless Lamb of God.  He will do it!