FOLLOW CHRIST, HE WILL ‘MAKE’ YOU

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow Me, Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.

Matt 4:18-19

There is this friend of mine who was shy when I first knew him, he was not very confident in speaking or sharing the word among believers but now has become better by the day in terms of relating with other people and sharing the word in the midst of believers. It occurred to me that his increased confidence might be partly due to the fact that he has joined me and other Christians in small meeting groups where we each are able to share our faith and encourage each other with the word and in prayer. And the phrase follow me and I might show you the way jumped into my mind. I then related it to Jesus’ words to his first disciples. ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’  It also occurred to me that for everyone, Christ says follow me and I will make you. It may not primarily or explicitly be that of being evangelists or “fishers of men” but it may also be a call to serve or be an ambassador of Christ in many different fields or walks of life.

When we follow Christ, he makes us into something. Something far better than we could make of ourselves. My own testimony is not very different from that of my friend. When I was growing up, I was very timid, I could not confidently speak in front of people, I had an inferiority complex, always thinking that I was not good enough. However, when I turned my life over to Christ, gradually he moulded me through different experiences. Through failures, even within the Church community. When I was assigned to perform one task or another in front of people, I messed up sometimes – does this remind of you Peter and his failing e.g in denying Christ? Anyway, back to my story. With time, I got better and was able to speak the word or lead the community of faith in whatever capacity – be it teaching the word or encouraging believers. I eventually would be able to stand up and teach or address thousands in Christian meeting groups and activities. And eventually have become a good communicator and a public speaker which is also very essential and helpful in my job as an educator. To say the least, God transformed me from this shy little boy into this amazing public speaker and teacher. I simply followed him and he made me into something far more spectacular than I can ever dream of.  

So, when Jesus said to Peter and Andrew his brother, follow me and I will make you fishers of men, little did they know that their names will never be forgotten in human history, that their walk with Christ will be spoken of, everyday until the end of the earth. Little did Peter, a fisherman by trade know that he would one day walk on water, nor did he know that he will one day preach the first message that will lead to the establishment of the church or that he will become part of the foundation of the Church of Christ. At some point, Peter asked Jesus this question: we have left all and followed you, what will become of us, or what shall we gain. Jesus reacted by saying that they will not only inherit eternity in heaven but they will be blessed here on earth likewise (Matt 19:27-29).

You see, when Jesus says follow me, he has a responsibility to everyone who obeys and that is to make them better than they can ever imagine. Some people might think that they are not good enough, they do not have what it takes for God to use but ask Peter the fisherman who become a spokesperson to the amazement of his community. Even before the coming of Christ, many other people witnessed the transforming power of God – think of Moses who adjudged himself as ineloquent but God made him the divider of the red sea and the leader of his people; Jeremiah thought he was just a boy and incapable of doing God’s work but look how he turned out (Jer 1:5-8).

If Jesus is saying to you, follow me, it will not be wise if you refuse. Because he owes it to you to make you, if you allow him. He needs you to leave all and follow him. He will so embellish you so much that you will not recognise your former self. Not only will he use you in his kingdom but in the business world or office environment, community and indeed every sphere of life.

Sorrow and Love

Self-love no grace in sorrow sees,
Consults her own peculiar ease,
’Tis all the bliss she knows;
But nobler aims true Love employ,
In self-denial is her joy,
In suffering her repose.
To leave my love in doubt would be
No less disgrace than misery!

I welcome, then, with heart sincere,
The cross my Saviour bids me take;
No load, no trial, is severe,
That’s borne or suffered for His sake:
And thus my sorrow shall proclaim
A love that’s worthy of the name.

JEANNE MARIE DE LA MOTTE-GUYON, 1648-1717

Self-image and the Christian

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:26-27

Self-image is the idea one has of one’s abilities, appearance, and personality. Compared to body image, we observe that self-image is a broader concept that incorporates body image.

• Body image refers to a person’s internal picture of his or her external physical appearance.
• Self image is a broader category that refers to one’s inner perception of his or her physical, mental, interpersonal, and spiritual characteristics and abilities.

Self-image may consist of four types:
Self-image resulting from

• how an individual sees oneself.
• how others see the individual.
• how the individual perceives others see them.
• how the individual perceives the individual sees oneself.

With regards to body image, most psychologists today define body image as a multidimensional construct with multiple components that include:

• how we see our bodies (perceptual),
• how we think about our bodies (cognitive),
• how we feel about our bodies (emotional), and
• how we act about our bodies (behavioural).

It is obvious therefore that how we see, think or feel about our bodies will lead to the actions we take. If we feel satisfied and confident about how we look, we tend to ooze confidence in other areas of our life, whether at work or socially. But if we are dissatisfied with our bodies, in other words if we have a negative body or self image, we become less confident. Body image dissatisfaction leads to low self-esteem and mental health issues. Because generally, how we see ourselves or how others see us or how we think about other people’s perception of us becomes a yardstick with which we measure ourselves.

This is not something new because since the days of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, humans have been fascinated by their own body images as depicted in the arts and religion. But in the modern world, people are increasingly ‘aware’ of their looks even as the population ages. Hence, the numerous antiaging products in the pharmacy/grocery shops all around us. One cannot but wonder, if we are now more obsessed with our bodies than perhaps any other period in human history. The reason for such assertion may not be farfetched – the modern media. Never in history have people been so ‘exposed’ to images of body modifications as it is today. Nevery before in history have people been exposed more connected than now. Now this interconnectedness whether through TV, or social media may tend to bring a blending of cultural practices and hence more influence on people especially younger Christians.

These days, it is may be a lot easier for celebrities to modify or augment their bodies because of the need (or pressure) from fans and others alike. The expectation of perfection in beauty, body adornment, tattoos, body piercings are enormous. And sadly, Christians aren’t immune to these pressures.

Therefore, people are increasingly modifying their bodies to ‘fit’ into their environment. But should this be the case for Christians? Surely it should not. But what should define a Christian’s self-image?

Generally, psychologists say that positive self-image and a strong sense of self-worth are likely to help people become more content with their bodies. But how and or where should Christians ‘acquire’ their self-worth from?

To look at it biblically, God is the one that made us in his own image and gave us dominion over all other created beings. We see example of David with a positive self-image that came out of the knowledge of how God made him. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14

David’s understanding of his self-image and where it comes from evoked his thanksgiving. So it is important to allow God’s word to guide how we see ourselves. It is important to remember that his divine power has given us EVERYTHING we need for LIFE and GODLINESS through his KNOWLEDGE.

On the other hand, we see Saul having a negative self-image which compelled him to make the wrong decision. Here’s what he said:

I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”. –

1 Samuel 13:12

David had a positive self-image and hence accomplished a great deal as king but Saul thought/perceived danger which created a negative image and he acted foolishly to his utter destruction.

To develop a positive self-image, we must therefore seek contentment from God, we must therefore keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. We must therefore recognise that we are beautiful just the way we are. Our body parts are perfect just the way they are, there is no need to modify them to suit other people’s preferences. Now this is not to say that there aren’t cases where people need to take action to get their health together, for example if one is overweight, it is important to consider the negative implications and the actions that led to it and take necessary actions. The point being made is that obsessing over how we should look isn’t godly. As some people tend to find a sense of beauty in their tattoos, body piercings or adornments. For some, that is what make them feel beautiful or accepted into certain circles. Our self-image, body-image, self-worth should be tied to Jesus and not that which is fleeting and will soon pass away.

Conclusively, let us look at the prophet Jeremiah who had a negative self and what God told him.

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." "Alas, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am too young." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am too young.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.   Jeremiah 1:4-7

Distractions In Prayer

Ah dearest Lord! I cannot pray,
My fancy is not free;
Unmannerly distractions come,
And force my thoughts from Thee.

The world that looks so dull all day
Glows bright on me at prayer,
And plans that ask no thought but then
Wake up and meet me there.

All nature one full fountain seems
Of dreamy sight and sound,
Which, when I kneel, breaks up its deeps,
And makes a deluge round.

Old voices murmur in my ear,
New hopes start to life,
And past and future gaily blend
In one bewitching strife.

My very flesh has restless fits;
My changeful limbs conspire
With all these phantoms of the mind
My inner self to tire.

I cannot pray; yet, Lord! Thou knowst
The pain it is to me
To have my vainly struggling thoughts
Thus torn away from Thee.

Sweet Jesus! teach me how to prize
These tedious hours when I,
Foolish and mute before Thy Face,
In helpless worship lie.

Prayer was not meant for luxury,
Or selfish pastime sweet;
It is the prostrate creature’s place
At his Creator’s Feet.

Had I, dear Lord! no pleasure found
But in the thought of Thee,
Prayer would have come unsought, and been
A truer liberty.

Yet Thou art oft most present, Lord!
In weak distracted prayer:
A sinner out of heart with self
Most often finds Thee there.

For prayer that humbles sets the soul
From all illusions free,
And teaches it how utterly,
Dear Lord! it hangs on Thee.

The heart, that on self-sacrifice
Is covetously bent,
Will bless Thy chastening hand that makes
Its prayer its punishment

Holy Saviour! why should I complain
And why fear aught but sin?
Distractions are but outward things;
Thy peace dwells far within.

These surface-troubles come and go,
Like rufflings of the sea;
The deeper depth is out of reach
To all, my God, but Thee.

FREDERICK WILLIAM FABER (1814-1863)