When Jesus called his first followers, they didn't think twice! Peter and Andrew dropped their fishing nets right there in the water. James and John walked away from their family business without looking back. Something amazing is happening here that we miss sometimes: following Jesus starts with letting go, not getting more stuff. These guys knew that if they wanted to walk with Jesus, their hands had to be empty and their hearts had to be ready for something completely new.
Being a disciple isn't just about believing the right things or going to Mass on Sundays; it's about letting Jesus turn your whole life upside down in the best possible way! When Jesus tells that rich young guy to sell everything and follow him, he's not being mean. He's offering real freedom! All our stuff, our need to look successful, our worry about what people think, these things actually hold us back from the incredible spiritual adventure Jesus wants to give us. There's something so freeing about not carrying all that weight around anymore.
Look at the saints and how absolutely joyful they became once they got this! Saint Francis gave away his money and found happiness that the world couldn't even understand. Mother Teresa saw Jesus in every poor person she helped. They figured out what every real follower of Jesus learns: when you stop worrying about your own life, you finally start living! This isn't about being miserable; this is about discovering that God's way of doing things actually works. When we stop holding onto everything so tightly, we realize we already have everything we really need.
Here's the incredible part: Jesus doesn't ask us to give up things just to make us sad. He wants to fill up all that empty space with something so much better! When we let go of worrying about how we look, always wanting more stuff, and trying to impress everyone, we make room for his peace, his plan, and his presence in our lives. Following Jesus is about becoming who God always meant us to be: his beloved kids who are free to love without keeping score, to help others without expecting anything back, and to hope even when things look tough. This is the life Jesus is offering you right now, and all you have to do is drop whatever you're holding onto and follow him!
©2025 James Dacey Jr.
