Heather and I recently switched churches. We loved the church we left, but we needed some spiritual refreshment.

We spent many months in prayer and in discussion about whether we should stay or go. We left on good terms – and even got the blessing of the pastors of the church we were leaving.

And yes, our souls have been refreshed. We’re soaking in the warm bath of being where God wants us to be.

Jesus called his followers to step out of their comfortable paths, over and over.

One account is in Matthew 19:16-26. To me, the key verses are 21 and 22: “Jesus told him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.”

He wasn’t willing to change. He lost out.

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Jesus, help me to be willing to change – and to listen to your voice when you are calling.

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Paul Merrill writes here every first Friday. He created the image using Copilot and Photoshop.