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I read a story once, a story about Jesus and a man named Levi. After two words and a decision, a life was changed forever.

Jesus said “follow me”. Thats it. Follow. Me. Two words, eight letters and a pause as if He was waiting to see what would happen.

And then, Levi did something even crazier: he followed. With no more prodding that we know of, Levi got up from his tax booth and followed Jesus down the road.

When we listen to people talk, we only hear what is said, failing to understand what is asked. We absorb and steal what thought is put into the words but give nothing of our energy in return.

I think we fail to respond to what is asked of us. An exchange fails to happen. Parasites reign.

Humans are inherently relational creatures; everything in our world is built to be in some form of relationship to us. My phone serves me. My dog was created to live as my companion. My friends was created so we can sharpen one another. The earth was created so that I might enjoy it. God created me so that I would glorify him. There is interaction at every level between two groups. There cannot be relationships that are purely one sided because there is no relation at that point. Relationships are built into us. They feed our bodies, feed our souls. Every conversation we have must have a reaction from the opposite party, some form of active listening to fit the rules of our world, to build a relationship.

God has been talking to me for a while. He has used pain and love and words and people and nature and experience to paint a picture for me. And I have listened and paid attention. And, to be honest, I haven’t done anything worth doing with what I have seen and felt and heard and touched. I have let it sit, staring at it. I keep asking for more treasure, for a more complete picture of what God wants. And I almost feel like God looking at me with incredulity in his eyes wondering what more I need to get up out of my tax booth and follow him.

There was a point in their relationship where Levi didn’t know what was going to happen if he got out of his booth and I think Jesus didn’t tell him on purpose. He only said “follow me”, as if the lack of explanation offered was an explanation in itself, a call to come and learn. Levi had to get up, had to take the initiative and respond to the invitation presented to him. He had to arise and walk into the unknown. He had to leap.

God has been asking me to arise, to get up and get out of the booth, to get along with what he has painted for me. But there has been a lack of direction to do so, more of an invitation to follow Him along the road. The decision is in my lap and I am playing hot potato with it.

But no longer. I am getting out of the booth, forget this place. I am sick and tired of being penned in. I want freedom. I want the open road! I want fresh air and new thoughts and crazy mountains hike and valleys to be crushed in because I know that what my heart craves is relationship, not parasitism. I am a leech no more, forever a partner.

The road is waiting, are you ready to stand up and go?

Arise oh Sleeper and come awake with Me.

Let Me take you on a journey that is going to be more than you ever bargained for. You are going to see the prettiest places you will see, but you will also be crushed to the point where you are dependent on me wholly. Are you okay with that? Are you ready for that? Are you sick and tired of living safe, of holding back? Don’t you want to be exhilarated again? Don't you want to run where your heart tugs you to go?

I will never lead you astray and I will never lead you wrongly. I am more capable to be in charge of your life than you are because I know your life more fully than you ever will. I know each of the innumerable hairs on your head and I am friends with each of the ribosomes in your cells. I am in charge of your growth, not your happiness, can you deal with that?

I have a better plan for you. Lets get rad. Jump into the car and we’ll get going.

Get out of the booth, you don't even like it in there.

Arise Sleeper and come awake with Me.

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