Have you ever set out to achieve something – something you really wanted – but then when things turned hard, when you faced opposition, when you grew tired of struggle … you just gave up? Well, you wouldn’t be alone.   

In 1405, Chinese Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty commissioned Admiral Zheng to lead a series of treasure voyages to expand Chinese influence and trade. But after Yongle’s death the new leadership, sceptical and half-hearted, reduced funding and resources. And as a direct result of their lukewarm commitment, China squandered the opportunity to dominate global maritime trade and exploration for centuries to come.

It’s happened countless times on a geopolitical scale and, dare I say it, billions of times in the lives of individuals. That lack of commitment leads to failure one hundred percent of the time.

Matthew 4:18-20 As Jesus was walking by Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Simon’s brother Andrew. These brothers were fishermen, and they were fishing in the lake with a net. Jesus said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you a different kind of fishermen. You will bring in people, not fish.” Simon and Andrew immediately left their nets and followed him.

They dropped everything, turned their backs on the business their father had built that they’d one day inherit and followed Jesus on an uncertain, uncomfortable and what turned out to be dangerous road. It all began with a call from Jesus. They answered. They persevered to the end.

Make no mistake, Jesus isn’t calling you to some comfortable, wishy-washy faith but to a life-long commitment through thick and thin.

Simon and Andrew immediately left their nets and followed him.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.