Jesus said this to let [Peter] know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” (John 21:19 NLT)
The first words Jesus spoke personally to Peter were, “Follow me.” The last words Jesus spoke personally to Peter were, “Follow me.” Peter had followed Jesus faithfully (for the most part) for several years, but Jesus’ message to Peter had not changed. Why?
Because following Jesus is not a one-time-thing. One doesn’t choose to follow Jesus once and then assume everything will be easy. Following Jesus is also not a long-term-thing. One doesn’t decide to follow Jesus and assume their following-status is permanent. Instead, following Jesus is a day-to-day-thing. Jesus said, “You must take up your cross daily and follow me.”
Christian, God’s commitment of grace was bestowed upon you one time. And His commitment of grace is permanent. The one-time and the long-term are His commitments. After all, He is the only one who can make a one-time commitment that remains unbroken.
But following is a commitment you must make every single day. This is because you are incapable of making a one-time commitment that lasts forever. The temptation to unfollow is relentless, therefore your resolve to keep following must be re-made daily.
There may be days when you “feel” like Jesus is not speaking to you, but that feeling is simply wrong. When you “feel” like you are not hearing Jesus, go back to his most personal daily message to you: “Follow me.”
When your spiritual well is dry and your spiritual ears are plugged, Jesus is reminding you to do the one thing you should always know: “Follow me.”
Get back to the basics each day. Follow Him.