Read: Matthew 4:18-19 | Listen: Matthew 4

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4:19

Jesus stands on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and invites two brothers, Peter and Andrew, to follow him. He describes the change he will bring about in their lives. They have been fishing for fish, but Jesus will teach them to fish for people by inviting others to follow him. Jesus meets them where they are and calls them into a greater purpose in God’s kingdom. He doesn’t erase their past; he transforms their lives and gives them new meaning and motivation as they follow him.

Following Jesus changes us, too. Discipleship isn’t something we simply add to our already busy lives. When we continually follow Jesus, he begins to reshape our desires, attitudes, thoughts, habits, and priorities to become more like his. This transformation doesn’t happen through our own strength or willpower. Jesus is the one who transforms us as we surrender our lives to him. We may want to control our plans, relationships, finances, or future. We may hold tightly to habits and attitudes we know we need to change. But when we trust Jesus enough to release these to him, he works in us and through us. He can use our gifts, talents, and experiences for his kingdom and his glory rather than our own. This is the powerful journey of discipleship: surrendering to Jesus daily and allowing him to shape us for his purposes.

TODAY: Take a few minutes to ask yourself, “What part of my life am I still trying to control instead of surrendering to Jesus?” Write down one specific area. Confess your struggle to him in prayer, open your hands as a physical act of surrender, and ask him to transform your heart.

For more encouragement, listen to the Beyond the Weekend Podcast as the team discusses what it means to follow Jesus—find it wherever you listen to podcasts or on YouTube HERE.