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Many years ago, the National Fire Protection Association released one of its most successful public service announcements. Dick Van Dyke taught children to stop, drop, and roll if their clothes caught fire. It was successful because it was simple and easy to remember. Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a simple phrase to help us with our spiritual life. We do, please read more.
As I was kicking off the new year, I was searching for a catchy little phrase to carry with me throughout 2023 that could enhance my relationship with God. I think I found one. It is simple, easy to remember, maybe a little corny, but it is packed with wisdom.
Matthew 4:18-20 tells us that as Jesus “was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed him.”
Theses verses seem to indicate that these two men responded instantaneously when called by the Lord. How many times does the Holy Spirit need to call us before we respond? Do we drop everything to go in pursuit of the Messiah when called to do so?
Simon Peter and his brother Andrew probably had no idea what they were about to get themselves into when they left their nets behind to follow Jesus. Sure they may have believed they had found the Messiah, but did they have any understanding of how radically different their lives would be going forward?
Similarly, we as Christians are being called by the Holy Spirit go forth into this new year to grow the Kingdom. Like Peter and Andrew, we don’t know what lies before us if we answer this call. We know the two brothers immediately dropped their nets and set out on an uncharted course. What keeps us from doing the same thing?
As Christians, we all have the responsibility to be fishers of men. Our Lord wants us to bring His good news to those around us. He wants us to help grow His Kingdom. Are we prepared to drop our nets and go? Will we instead try to drag some of our old baggage with us into the new year?
As we start this new year let’s ask ourselves these questions:
- What worldly things am I holding onto?
- What am I unwilling to drop?
- What issues from my past have me all tangled up?
- What distracts me from fishing for men?
- What keeps me from giving all of myself to God?
Dick Van Dyke taught the children what to do if their clothes got too close to a flame. As we journey forth into the new year, I am suggesting this easy to remember phrase for those times our soul is touched by the flame of the Holy Spirit. If we feel the Holy Spirit call us to walk closer in the footsteps of Jesus, if we experience His tongues of flame burning away our imperfections and challenging us to be better evangelizers, then all we have to do is STOP, DROP and GO!
When we feel the Holy Spirit calling us into the service of God’s Kingdom this year, let’s stop procrastinating, drop all of those things that get us tangled up in this worldly life, and go running after Jesus. He is prepared to radically transform our lives.
Working together let’s make this the year of STOP, DROP AND GO!
Heavenly Father, help me to remember this simple slogan all year. Give me courage to answer your call, wisdom to drop worldly attachments and and the faith to go running after your Son. Amen!
AMDG
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Brian
Great message!
Your prayer give us the courage to answer the call really hit me. When the Spirit calls lets not miss the visitation but have the courage like Mary to say. Thy Will Be Done with courage then to act on the message
God bless
Michael T
Good message Brian.
Thanks and Happy New Year to you and Mary Beth 😇🙏