19th Day of Lent
Postponement Keeps us from Jesus
He said, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Luke 9:61

In today's lesson we see again the great challenge to follow Jesus where he calls, while at the same time being sensitive and aware to our current circumstances.  Sometimes the call is to go.  While another time the call may be to stay.  You can serve Jesus whether you go or stay.  The key seems to be to be open to the Spirit and have a discerning heart.

Many years ago I went to the Urbana Missions Conference put on by Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship every three years in Urbana, Illinois.  It is designed to inspire and inform college students about current world mission opportunities.  At that conference, many students responded to the call and indicated a desire to serve in foreign missions.  I was not one of them.  I thought the conference was great, but did not feel the pull to that type of work at that time.  I needed to complete my college education and decide what to do from there.  My call was to stay with what I was doing at that time.

Clearly Jesus wants committed followers.  Nothing should stand in the way of that.  So, seek to follow the Lord in your life.  Pray and seek the Spirit's guidance.  Be open.  Evaluate your current commitments.  Are they what you need to be doing, or might they be holding you back?  Only you can decide.  Pray for wisdom to make the right decision, in accordance with God's will.