Todd Johnson
Family Pastor
Matthew 9:9
“As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.”
Just picture it, Matthew the tax collector who is disliked by his own people because he has the job that requires him to take their money, is asked to follow Jesus. He lives a comfortable life while his fellow Jewish neighbors are doing what they can to get by. Jesus walks past him with some of the other disciples and tells Matthew to “follow me.” Can you imagine how Peter, James and John felt when their teacher asked this hated man to join them? I think of the times in my life when I didn’t want a certain person to join my group of friends because I thought that he/she wasn’t good enough. I am ashamed of much of my past behavior. As I draw closer to God, I have learned that He can use any and every one…no one is beyond His reach.
Do you ever struggle with feeling inadequate and think that God can’t use you to advance His Kingdom? When the Lord called me into full-time ministry, my first thought was you have the wrong person. After several months of praying and seeking wisdom from my mentors, I surrendered to His call. I have never regretted that decision and I am so grateful that I said “yes” when God asked me to follow Him. Is the Lord asking you to do something? Are you being obedient to what He wants you to do with your life? Take the time to pray today and seek God’s direction for your life. Are you willing to follow Him?