The Mirror of the Word and other works by C.E. White can be purchased on her website, cewhitebooks.com or on Amazon.

“But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and likewise also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not fear; from now on you will be catching people.’ When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.”

—Luke 5:8–11

When Peter saw Jesus’s greatness, he knew he wasn’t worthy to be in Jesus’s presence.

Imagine Peter’s surprise when Jesus didn’t shun him, but instead invited him to join the greatest mission of all.

The understanding that we are not worthy—that the Lord’s forgiveness is undeserved—is part of the truth of the Gospel. It’s not a reason to hide or run away from him; it’s a reason to follow. We’re transformed into his image as we believe and live our belief out in obedience (1 John 2:6).

When we come to Jesus in repentance, all our sinfulness is washed away, and we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Then we must follow as the disciples did—willing to abandon all else as the disciples did if he requires it.

When we’re humble before him, he will always say, “Don’t be afraid; follow me.”

He will give us a purpose and an eternal mission, and he’s worth infinitely more than anything we could ever leave behind.

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