Most days I am fortunate enough to see my grandchildren head out the door to their daily activities. They pack, with mom’s help, their supplies, their lunches, their special items, an extra jacket or whatever into backpacks and lug them to the door.

It gets interesting when they start to get into the car with their loads. The backpacks must come off for them to fit in the car seats and be buckled in. Their baggage weighs them down and slows their progress.

I think about this daily scene as I read where Jesus called several of His disciples in the fifth chapter of Luke.

Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John, and Levi, known as Matthew, left everything to follow Jesus.  There was no salary schedule or benefit package communicated to these men. Jesus did not talk with them about insurance, nor did He offer them a backpack to carry their favorite possessions; He just called them to come.

They left everything – their livelihood, their favorite chairs, their loved ones, their comfort. Single mindedly they began the journey that would carry them over the known world and end in their martyrdoms.

They left all to follow Jesus.

I wonder if some of the struggles I face result from trying to hang on to things while following Jesus, sort of like the grandchildren with the backpacks trying to get into their car seats. Is my dependence on my preferences and my possessions slowing down my walk with Him?

I have a choice. I can keep struggling with my stuff, or I can give it all to Him.

He calls my heart to be undivided. He must be supreme, and everything in my life must come under His Lordship.

The good news is – under His Lordship is a great place to be.

Father,

Forgive me for lugging the things of this world in my backpack. I offer it all to You, every day. Help me not to pick it back up. Let me walk single mindedly with You.

Luke 5: ¹⁰ And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. ¹¹ And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him.

II Corinthians 8:5 ⁵ And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Photo – Leaves Released, Beth Mims