How Immediate is "At Once"?

"Jesus called James and John, and at once they left the boat and their father, and went with Him (Jesus)." Matthew 4:21-22

Jesus called and they followed... at once.  Wish it always went that way for me.  Jesus calls, and I want to think about it, consider my options, weigh the evidence, consult the consultants... think about it some more... you get the picture.

Jesus calls and they answer.  Jesus calls and they obey.  Jesus calls and they act.  It seems as though it is almost automatic, doesn't it?  No questions, no hesitations, no regrets.  It seems that so often when Jesus calls I have to drag around so much baggage.  It weighs on me, it distracts me, it concerns me... the list goes on, and on, and on...

How do I go about cutting loose that baggage?  One of my favorite movies is called "The Mission" starring Jeremy Irons and Robert De Niro.  De Niro character is a conquistador who has an amazing encounter with Jesus Christ.  He takes as a penance for his sins the task of dragging all his conquistador armor, weapons, and gear behind him in a net.  As he follows Jeremy Irons, who portrays a priest, into the the jungle he drags all this stuff behind him.  Including up a very high water fall.  At the top of the falls, Jeremy Irons and the whole group encounter the tribal people they are seeking.  In a very moving scene De Niro refuses to let go of his baggage... finally, Irons the priest takes knife and cuts the rope that binds De Niro to his past and his baggage.  As they fall behind him, down this incredible falls, I was struck by the fact that sometimes we need help from those around us to cut the ropes that bind us to our past, to our baggage.

With out the baggage we are a little more able to keep from hesitating, to keep things immediate.  To act in obedience when Jesus calls us.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says it this way..."Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
NIV

Grace and Joy In Jesus,
Pastor Bill