Image "My Friend" by Helen Thomas Robson (Used by Permission)
Minimalism from a Biblical Point of View —

Biblical Minimalism is "a complete, whole-person release of anything unlike Jesus, a letting go of everything that hinders us from following Him wholeheartedly and single-mindedly, and a relinquishing of all that brings us under bondage to this earthly, very temporary life." Cheryl E. Smith

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Responding to Jesus' Call to an Eternity-Focused Life


"Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  And He said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.'  Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.  Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them.  Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him."  Matthew 4:18-22  (NASB)

How does reading about the call of Jesus to His disciples make you feel?  When I read it, I feel a deep sense of longing—a yearning to have been one of the original twelve Jesus called as He walked this earth.  His call is so compelling—so intense—so impossible to refuse.  The appeal of Jesus' call was constraining enough to cause twelve grown men to drop everything they were doing, leave it all behind, and follow Him.  Their lives, from that day forward, would never be the same.

The longer they walked with Jesus, the more like Him they became.  The closer they drew to Him, the farther removed they were from what bound them to earth.  The deeper they ventured into the spiritual, the greater the distance between them and shallow, unintentional living.

Jesus' call draws to what is most important—to the forsaking of what is temporal for the sake of what is eternal.  As we respond to the call to follow Him, life as we know it will never be the same for us, either, and the longer we walk with Him, the less we will be attracted to what is unlike Him.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  2 Corinthians 5:17  (KJV)

Biblical Minimalism is the laying aside of the old and the picking up of the new life Jesus has for each one of us.  He didn't promise it would be easy.  Doing what is right seldom takes the path of least resistance, but He did promise He would walk with us every step of the way.

Do you hear His call?  How will you respond?  As you contemplate the way He lived His life, what do you identify as being something you may need to minimize?

In closing, I hope you enjoy listening to my sweet friend, Sarah Davison of High Road Music, sing a song about laying down the old coat of sin and picking up the new coat Jesus offers.  If you would like to read an interview I did with Sarah, please click "The Inner Views of Sarah Davison."

10 comments:

  1. Dear Cheryl,
    Thank you for these good and convicting words today. Walking with Him is such a process of letting go of more of the flesh, being freshly washed every day. I hear Him calling me to trust Him more. Just when I think that I have learned what trusting is, He shows me more places where I've picked up worries again. He is so good to call us forward! Blessings, love and hugs to you Dear Friend!

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    1. Oh, yes, it surely is a process of letting go of the flesh, dear friend. I had to come to a deeper level of consecration last night, and it is never easy. You are so precious and dear and your comments mean so much to me. Sending much love to you today and many hugs!

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  2. Oh it would be lovely to have walked with Jesus along with the disciples. Then I would knock Judas upside the head! But serously I know I need to let go of or at least reduce. I have a bunch of fabric that I either need to use or get rid of. I hope you are doing well dear Cheryl!

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    1. So sweet to see your kind comment, my friend! I still have physical stuff that I am sorting through, but we are getting there! God bless you!

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  3. Thanks! I would minimize certain things. On the other hand, a certain balance is also good. So relaxation is also good. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.But how to find a good balance?

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    1. Yes, dear Lord, help us all to find a good balance. I suppose that is one of the hardest things to find in this life. Thank you for your kind visit, Aritha! God bless you. :)

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  4. Your continuing posts are a blessing to all of us. Praying for you and your sweet family dear friend.

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    1. Oh, thank you ever so much! I feel the weight of those prayers. May the dear Lord bless you for your faithful friendship, support, and prayers. Praying for you, too, my friend!

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  5. Cheryl, what a beautiful reminder of our Savior’s call to us daily, “Follow me”. May I be so quiet that I hear His still small voice. Blessings and hugs, sweet friend!

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    1. Yes, dear sister, amen and amen! I always want to walk so close beside Him to hear His precious voice, too. Sending love, blessings, and hugs back to you, my friend!

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