instant
"As He moved on He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus at his tax collector's post, and said to him, 'Follow Me.' Levi got up and became His follower." —Mark 2:14
Could the Lord work with you as He did with Levi? Could He call you to leave everything immediately? Jesus, being the Lord, doesn't always work step-by-step. For example, Saul is out looking for some lost asses and, before he knows it, he's anointed king (1 Sm 9:3; 10:1). Joseph goes to bed one night and before morning he and his family are on their way to Egypt (Mt 2:14).
Jesus didn't give the young, rich man much "pre-evangelization." It was "sell everything now and follow Me" or stay behind (Mk 10:21). Jesus called more than one of His apostles to quit their jobs without giving two weeks notice (Mt 4:19-22). When someone wanted to follow Jesus but needed to bury his father first, Jesus said: "Let the dead bury their dead; come away and proclaim the kingdom of God" (Lk 9:60).
We live in an "instant" society. We microwave our food or pick it up at a drive-thru window, and expect instant communications to the whole world. We pop a pill for every difficulty. But, when the Lord wants an instant response from us, can we give it? Don't keep the Lord waiting. "Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!" (2 Cor 6:2)
Prayer: Jesus, may I always give You what You want when You want it. I give You myself unreservedly.
Promise: "From a flask he had with him, Samuel poured oil on Saul's head; he also kissed him, saying: 'The Lord anoints you commander over His heritage.' " —1 Sm 10:1
Praise: Linda takes time every day — away from the phone, radio, TV — for quiet time with the Lord.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our leaflet Hearing God or our audio AV 45-1 or video V-45.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 19, 2005
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