Jesus of Nazareth passed by fishermen mending their nets and invited them into a journey of becoming, “Follow Me and I will make you become fishers of the human race” (Mk 1:17). Entrance into the journey had a requirement – “follow me.” The meaning was clear – wherever I go you must follow me. The ancient fishermen understood. They left their nets, they left their boats, they left their father, they left their employees – they followed Jesus.
Entrance requires leaving.
The journey is by definition a change process. Jesus forms you – this is not a work you can do for yourself. Proximity to Jesus is the variable that causes the change.
Journey requires accompanying.
Journey’s end is not an ability but a state of being. You have become a person who gathers others because you have been with Jesus. For most, the leaving, the following and the change process is replaced with technique and memorized scripts, and so they do not become. For those courageous enough to place one foot after another after Jesus – they are chasing glory and becoming. What is that glory? Paul tells us “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thess 2:19-20).
Arrival is becoming.