Never Goin' Back

Last night I asked you to think about what has happened in your life since you met Jesus. 

I met Jesus when I was very young.  Chele and I have gone to church for as long as I can remember.  But I accepted Him into my heart at an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) conference when I was in the seventh grade.  In thinking back, I was twelve years old.  I was moved by something that was said and remember thinking...YES Lord!  Come into my heart and make me a better person.  Of course...I was twelve.  I was on the very edge of becoming a teenage girl and I am pretty sure I was NOT a good person to my parents.  I believe I was not the best student and find it quite ironic that I was brought to Christ through an event that was lead by a group called Christian 'athletes'.   But I knew at that moment that I loved God.  So I said yes.

What has happened in my life since that moment?  Oh not much...
Just friendships, boyfriends, cheerleading, Homecoming, Prom, Graduation, College, Sorority, more friendships, meeting Coach, falling in love, more College, Engagement, Wedding, 1st anniversary immediately followed by Brett, new home, Tanner, soccer, t-ball, school programs, new job for Coach, new minivan, Brady, sports...sports...sports...AND here we are.

So many things in our lives have happened.  So many things in MY life have happened.  They haven't all been rainbows and sunshine...I just chose to list some of the positives in my life since I accepted Him into my heart.

The second question PR asked was what is happening in your life now?

I believe His point to the sermon was this.  When Jesus called His diciples to follow Him...he asked them to give up what they were doing and come with Him.  Gladly they did.  Matthew 4:18,19

18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20At once they left their nets and followed him.

They left everything they knew and followed Him on the biggest fishing trip ever.  However, when Jesus died and had risen to Heaven...they went back to doing what they had done before.  Fishing.

John 21: 4-7
4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?"
"No," they answered.
6He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!"

Jesus came back to remind them of what he had left them doing.  He had come and they followed Him.  He then died and they stopped doing His work.  He came back to show them that He was still in fact the wonderful, merciful Savior.  John 21: 18, 19

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

Follow Me...even when you cannot see me...Follow Me.  Even when you cannot see where you are going...Follow Me.  Even when you think you cannot make it...Follow Me. 

For me, Jesus has never been a physical presence.  I was not alive to see Him in the flesh.  But in the years since I accepted Him into my heart, I have felt Him for sure.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is there and that He is real.  I can feel Him helping me to fill my net.  I can hear him instructing me from the heart.  I know that He is with me.  I have been fishing in the land of the empty nets...(PR) and it is not fun.  I have been there AFTER accepting Him into my heart and can remember thinking...what a crock!  I asked Him into my heart and look at this mess!  He didn't help me at all.  But the truth is, He has been there all along.  I just recently chose to start listening to Him.  I am now casting my net where He tells me to and am loving the results.

Accept Him.  Love Him.  Follow Him.  Even when you can't see Him...keep on keepin' on. 

The song PR used in our sermon is by the Afters called Never Goin' Back to Okay.  Basically it talks about how excited we are when we accept Him into our lives and then how easily we settle for going back to ok.  Just going back to the way it was.  If you have Him in your heart and you follow Him daily...you'll never want to go back.

Have a Blessed Day!
Amy

Thanks PR for the awesome message.  You rock!