“Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” Matthew 4:19 (NLT)
As Christians, you may have heard or read accounts of miraculous changes and even become addicted to them.
However, it is evident in the Gospels that the disciples made mistakes during their journey with Christ on earth. They made errors to the very end – even on the last night they spent with Jesus prior to His death.
After the Passover meal was eaten, His closest disciples fell asleep while men armed with clubs and swords came to arrest Him. When He most needed them, they were not alert.
The Gospels record many instances of Jesus instantly healing people’s illnesses, yet we do not know of an instance in which He simply waved His hand to immediately fix a bad habit for one of His disciples. Instead, He simply kept teaching and correcting them, giving them time to grow.
Doesn’t it seem that God is working like this much of the time in our own lives? He allows our weaknesses and difficulties to drive us to Himself, keeping us close. While miracles happen, we must realise that the transformation we so desperately desire can only be achieved over time. God seems to prefer it this way, perhaps because He knows we can only become like Him by maintaining a constant close connection with Him.
So, believers, learn to stay in the process and grow in Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, open our eyes so that we may see the need for a constant close connection with You. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Read: Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:4-11
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 36; Luke 4:14-37; Numbers 13:26-33; Numbers 14
