Leave Everything Behind

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021613.cfm) reminds me that we should leave everything behind as we follow Christ.

The gospel shows us Levi, a sinful man, leaving everything behind and following Jesus.

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.

God does not judge us without first giving us a opportunities to right our wrongs. He gave Levi a chance, even if he was a sinful man, to follow Jesus. However, Levi needs to leave everything behind – his past life, his sins and bad habits, his lifestyle, so he can really follow Christ. He cannot be an effective follower of Christ if he will not leave things behind, if he will occasionaly go back to his old life and sin. He has to decide, with God’s grace, to leave his dark past and focus on the present and hope for he bright future with Christ.

I believe Jesus is calling each one of us as well. Jesus is asking us to come and follow Him. Question is what will be our response?

Am I willing to leave everything behind to follow Christ?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for this weekend. Lord, I thank you for never giving up on me, for never judging me. Thank you for the opportunities you give me to change my ways. Lord, I ask that I be ready when you call me. May I wholeheartedly leave everything behind and follow you all the days of my life. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-