27 Afterward, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at a kiosk for collecting taxes. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” 28 Levi got up, left everything behind, and followed him. 29 Then Levi threw a great banquet for Jesus in his home. A large number of tax collectors and others sat down to eat with them. 30 The Pharisees and their legal experts grumbled against his disciples. They said, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
31 Jesus answered, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. 32 I didn’t come to call righteous people but sinners to change their hearts and lives.”
Common English Bible (Nashville, TN: Common English Bible, 2011), Lk 5:27–32.
God is Calling Us To Change.
Raised in a turbulent home in South London, Claud started selling marijuana at fifteen and heroin when he was twenty-five. Needing a cover for his activities, he became a mentor to young people. Soon he became intrigued by his manager, a believer in Jesus, and wanted to know more. After attending a course exploring the Christian faith, he “dared” Christ to come into his life. “I felt such a welcoming presence,” he said. “People saw a change in me instantly. I was the happiest drug dealer in the world!”
Jesus didn’t stop there. When Claud weighed up a bag of cocaine the next day, he thought, This is madness. I’m poisoning people! He realized he must stop selling drugs and get a job. With the help of the Holy Spirit, he turned off his phones and never went back.
God calls sinners to repentance, and when we respond to His call, He begins to transform our hearts and lives. This transformation initiates a journey of renewal and restoration with God. This path is not always easy, and we may become set in our ways. However, if we remain obedient to His calling and the work of the Holy Spirit, God can perform amazing things in our lives.
Change is often difficult, and it can be challenging to embrace. Yet, sometimes change is the only way to fully walk in His calling. This calling can lead you to fulfill your destiny and allow God to use you in powerful ways. It may not always be comfortable or easy, but the benefits for your life, both now and forever, are always worth it.