And they immediately left their nets and followed Him.
Matthew 4:20
Adjustments. They are vital. When God calls, we must adjust any part of our lives that conflicts with that calling. Some adjustments seem difficult, while others may seem natural and easy. But “adjust” we must, if we are to sincerely follow our Lord. Watchman Nee offers this reminder:
“If we give ourselves unreservedly to God, many adjustments may have to be made in family, or business, or church relationships, or in the matter of our personal views.”[1]
Adjustments. They are rarely desirable and never comfortable. But they are nonetheless necessary. You cannot follow Jesus and stay where you are. Obedience to our Lord guarantees uncomfortable and challenging adjustments.
Elisha left his family and his career to follow Elijah and to fulfill God’s call (I Kings 19:19-21). Peter, Andrew, James, and John made the same life adjustments (Matthew 4:20,22). Paul’s whole course of life changed along with his name as he obeyed the voice of Jesus (Acts 9:1-19). On and on the stories unfold from the Scriptures of men and women who experienced the calling of God and adjusted to that calling. Some adjustments seemed more severe than others, but the principle remained the same in all cases: when God calls everything changes.
Adjustments not only come in the form of life’s calling. There are adjustments to be made much more personally. Although disharmony became an unfortunate reality between individuals within the church at Philippi, Paul wrote, “have this attitude in yourself which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Now that is a major adjustment – shifting one’s attitude from personal preferences and feelings to the likeness of Jesus.
Today, what are you willing to adjust to serve God more faithfully? How deep and personal are you willing for the adjustments to go? In I Corinthians 10:31, Paul instructed, “whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.” This represents the grandest metric of our attitudes, actions, and thoughts. The ultimate purpose is to bring glory to God. And all things must adjust to this priority.
So today, what must you adjust in your family, your home, your business, your job, or your church so that God receives glory? These are necessary considerations indeed. Yet, the greater question remains: what are you willing to adjust in you?
Author and speaker, Barbara Johnson, describes a necessary adjustment:
The day had not started out well for a certain woman. She had overslept and was late for work. Then some things happened at the office that only contributed to her stress and regrets. By the time she reached the bus stop for her trip home, her stomach was tied in knots. As usual, the bus was late and packed, and she had to stand up. The bus started, stopped, turned left, then right, pushing and pulling her in all directions. The day wasn’t improving at all – even as it came to an end. Then she heard a man’s voice up front proclaim, “Beautiful day, isn’t it?” Because of the crowd she couldn’t see the man, but he continued to comment on everything the bus passed that added to his joy: a church here, an ice cream store there, a baseball diamond here, a library there. The atmosphere in the bus grew immediately more carefree as did the woman’s heart. The man’s enthusiasm was so winsome, the woman found herself smiling. When the bus reached the woman’s stop, she worked her way through the crowd to the door. As she did, she glanced at the man speaking – a plump man, wearing dark glasses, and carrying a white cane. He was blind. As she stepped off the bus, she realized the day’s tensions had disappeared. God had sent a blind man to help her see. The most unsuspecting influence adjusted her life from the negative experiences of the day to the blessings of God all around her.[2]
An attitude adjustment. A heart adjustment. An adjustment in perspective. An adjustment in life’s direction. All are very necessary. And, as we continue to allow God to direct our steps, such necessary and fruitful adjustments await us. Keep your eyes and heart open.
Blessings
READ
Read Matthew 4:18-22 and rediscover the necessity and joy of life’s adjustments.
[1] Watchman Nee, The Normal Christian Life, p. 101.
[2] Barbara Johnson, Stories of Hope for a Healthy Soul, p.17.
