In J.R.R Tolkien's The Hobbit, the dwarves gathered to go up against Smaug, the fierce dragon, to retrieve their stolen treasure. In spite of the dangerously frightening quest, Balin, the second-in-command dwarf, expressed confidence in Thorin: "There is one I could follow. There is one I could call King". His commitment to the mission, as dangerous as it was, was empowered by his confidence in his leader.
At the beginning of Jesus' earthly ministry, He gathered a group around Him that would join Him in the kingdom task of rescuing the treasure of lost souls from our enemy, Satan. When He called them, He said, "Follow Me" (Matt. 4:19). For them, following Jesus would mean a radical transition from catching fish to the enterprise of being fishers of men and women who were lost in the grip of sin. But the task would not always be easy; Jesus referred to the quest as taking up our cross to follow Him (See Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23).
How do we stay engaged in the battle to reclaim Christ's lost treasure when it seems intimidating or awkward? By keeping our eye on our Leader. He indeed is worthy - One we can follow, the One we call King! Follow your Leader into the lives of those around you.
AMEN
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