Submitted by Pastor Julie Sanders, Tarkio and Westboro United Methodist Churches

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 send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4:18-19

When I read scriptures like this one, following Jesus seems like the easiest thing in the world! Just drop our “nets” and follow him. But what does it mean to drop our nets? What does it mean to follow Jesus? Well, using the above scripture I would like to outline a few things that make us followers of Jesus. Are you ready?

First, maybe you noticed, Jesus calls! Just as Jesus was walking beside those fishermen and said, “Come, follow me,” Jesus is calling us. Seriously, He is calling us, but do we hear that call? Or better yet, do we respond? Sometimes, our sins and shame keep us from responding but if we confess our sin and shame we will be forgiven. It is through our accepting Jesus as our Savior that we are given the ability to follow Him. John 3:3 tells us, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Confessing and repenting of our trespasses, by faith we are freeing ourselves to follow Jesus.

Another important way to follow is through prayer. Prayer is just simply talking to Jesus. If we follow Jesus, we will find ourselves needing to talk to Jesus. At times, following Jesus can be exhilarating, and at other times, it can be exhausting, but the more we are in conversation with God the surer our step becomes. In fact, it will be a major part of our lives, not just an occasional plea for help when we’re in need. For prayer to become a priority, we will need to make it a habit. Starting and finishing each day in prayer is a good way to make sure we are following Jesus. Remember Jesus always took time to pray.

Mark 12:30 really brings two points of following Jesus together. To love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength and to love your neighbor as ourselves. Loving God involves worshipping Him, especially when we don’t feel like it. Church is an important part of following Jesus but so is loving our neighbors. And I don’t mean only love the ones that look like us, and act like us. I mean everyone. The one thing that marked Jesus’ ministry was, well, ministry! Love is an important part of following Jesus and loving others definitely leads to helping them – which is service!!

Okay, so if you have stuck with me this far you might be thinking what more? Well, there is the great commission. Maybe you remember it, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” This is Jesus’ command, and if we are going to follow Him, maybe we should tell others that we follow Him and share why Jesus is important to us. This is hard, I know, but it doesn’t have to be lengthy and pamphlets shouldn’t be involved. Just be honest about believing in Jesus. Following Jesus is the most incredible decision we can ever make but it is also a commitment.

As you practice these, they will become routine and ordinary in your life. God bless and may you find following Jesus into 2020 the greatest decision of your life.