“Immediately they left their nets and followed Him…
Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.”
(Matthew 4:20, 22)

I’m impressed with the manner in which the disciples dropped what they were doing in response to Jesus’ call upon their lives. In this passage, we see the word “immediately” used twice. The word literally means “at once.”  I’m curious as to whether we act in the same manner when Jesus calls us.

If your house was on fire, or there was some type of threat to your life or that of your children, you would act at once, would you not? Of course you would. Yet do we act in the same manner when we sense God calling us to take action, minister to others, step out in faith, or join in what He is doing in our midst? I’m sorry to suggest that for some, the answer is no.

I speak with people regularly who wonder if God is calling them to take some action, or deal with something in their life or that of their family. In some instances, the person has been thinking about taking action for many months; yet because of various reasons, a delay has taken place. Can I suggest to you that delayed obedience is the same thing as disobedience? You see, when God calls or convicts us to move forward, no matter what the action might involve, he expects us to have the same response as the disciples who “immediately left their nets… Immediately left the boat… and followed Him.”

I am willing to guess that most of us have at least one area of life in which God has been speaking, asking us to step out in faith and move forward. Perhaps it’s a family issue, work-related, child concerns, a strained relationship, an area of personal accountability or even an issue surrounding secret sin that you know is displeasing the Lord. God’s timing is always perfect, so if you sense his calling, act immediately! His call guarantees that he will equip you with the courage, wisdom and resources you need to do so.

The Apostle Paul said it best: “No trial has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted (tried or challenged) beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (I Corinthians 10:13).

Do you catch what Paul is saying? God’s call to action means that he guarantees you the needed resources to act. In other words: “God, please tell me what to do and then empower me to do so.” Would you think this through and see what it means in your life? Let’s commit ourselves to be people who act immediately in response to God’s leading.