Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. Over the past five months we have looked at reasons why be a follower of Jesus such as being forgiven, having real hope and peace, being accepted into God’s family, being granted new life and eternal life, set free from past hurts, and a host of other reasons. God is good and He wants the best for His followers.
Unless you have a supernational encounter with Jesus, much like the Apostle Paul did in the Bible when Jesus appeared to him in blinding light, many tend to put off from becoming a follower of Jesus for another time. Maybe you are like this? Perhaps you are putting off becoming a follower of Jesus because you don’t understand everything about the Christian faith? Maybe you know it will involve some change in your life, and you are not ready for that?
If this is you, I understand your hesitancy and questions. In the Bible, Jesus encourages people to earnestly seek Him which can take time. I believe there comes a point in your life that you need to say, “I have sought Jesus and my decision is this”.
I want to share why be a follower of Jesus now.
Just a few weeks ago, Mena, a close friend to Leisl and I suddenly passed away. He was only 41 years old leaving behind a wonderful wife Shey and their four beautiful young children. Just a couple of weeks prior to Mena’s death Leisl and I stayed with the family in Mackay. It was noisy, busy, and fun. Leisl and Shey painting landscapes together while Mena and I sat outside watching the footy over a firepit. We watched their kids play footy and had meals together that Mena cooked on the BBQ. We then said our farewells until next time. Two weeks later Shey rang with the tragic news that Mena had passed away while on camp with his school students. Despite regularly going to the gym, he just collapsed and died.
Like so many we were absolutely stunned and grief stricken - still are to be honest. A week later we were back in Mackay for Mena’s funeral. Over 1,200 attended with many more watching online. It was such a powerful service with Shey sharing about her husband’s amazing legacy and there were inspiring Fijian, indigenous, and Moauri cultural customs. So many were impacted by Mena’s humility, servanthood, and unconditional love. Here I was leading Mena’s funeral service where just a couple of weeks earlier we were sitting around a pit fire enjoying each other’s company.
Mena’s untimely passing made me think about my own life. Am I ready to meet Jesus if something happened to me today? Are you ready if something happens to you today, tomorrow or whenever? Mena was a committed follower of Jesus. Spiritually, he was ready. He is now with God in heaven. Can you say the same? Are you ready? You don’t need to know all the answers about life and faith. I don’t. You just need to have a simple faith in Jesus that He is the Son of the living God.
The Bible says, “Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone” (James 4:13-14 NLT). And that’s the thing. None of us know what tomorrow will bring.
I don’t understand Mena’s death. Our hearts grieve for his family. What I do know is the promise found in the Bible, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13 NIV).
Why be a follower of Jesus? Because you don’t know what tomorrow we bring.
How can you be a follower of Jesus? Trust and obey. Trust in faith that Jesus is God’s Son who saved you on the cross. And follow Jesus as Lord by obeying His teachings.
If you need to be saved, I invite you now to pray this prayer with me:
Father God.
I am sorry that I am a sinner.
Thank you for forgiving me.
I don’t understand everything, however
in faith I call out to You.
Enable me to put my trust in You and
to obey Your teachings.
In Jesus’ name
Amen
David Moyes
