Making the Most of Midlife: leaving their nets

"At once they left their nets and followed him." ~ Matthew 4:20

Maybe you're familiar with the story. Maybe not. Jesus is walking along the shore. He sees Simon (Peter) and Andrew hard at work. He calls to them to follow Him and He will make them fishers of men. Then scripture tells us that "At once they left their nets and followed him".

At once - they left their nets. They didn't say "Sure, but first we've got to get all this cleaned up" or "just as soon as we're finished with what we're doing here" or "what will people think?" Nope. They dropped the nets at once.

What is a net? A device meant to capture. A trap. It binds you. Burdens you. Ties you down. Holds you back. Inhibits you from moving forward.

I believe Jesus calls all of us to follow the example of Simon (Peter) and Andrew.

To leave our nets. The burdens. The things that are holding us back. Keeping us captive.

Let go of the past. Let go of guilt and shame. Let go of the need to please others. The need for approval from the people around us. Let go of feeling less than, not enough. Let go of the emptiness. The loneliness.

Leave the nets holding you captive. And follow Him.