Is It Worth Leaving Everything Behind?

I’m standing here along the Owens River, and across the valley, I'm taking in the view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The view of the valley and the mountains are spectacular!

I’m here with a fishing pole in hand, tackle, and my favorite bait for this particular river; salmon eggs. I throw my line up the river and let the current take my split shot and salmon egg along the bank. I cast my line over and over in the river waiting for a bite. This is the reality of fishing, and it takes time and patience. I managed to catch 4 rainbow trout in the span of four hours. But, who’s counting fish, when you are in a beautiful place like this?

The Sierra Nevada Mountain range, look across the Owens River valley. — The Sierra Nevada Mountain range.

I have always loved the outdoors and as a teenager I remember wanting to be a Game Warden, Wildlife Biologist, or Wildlife Photographer. I remember often sitting in my High School class daydreaming of being in the mountains. At the time I couldn’t imagine anything stopping me from living and working in the outdoors.

As I’m fishing along this pristine river, I think of the disciples in Matthew 4:19. Jesus walked by them as they were fishing and said, “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” From the scriptures, they immediately left their nets and followed Jesus. I’ve read this repeatedly, and as a fisherman, I ask myself the question. What would I do?

If I lived during the time of the disciples, it’s easy to say I would follow Jesus. But, what if Jesus came to me here as I’m fishing the Owens? It may be a different story.

My passion is the outdoors, away from the city and large crowds

Jesus didn’t ask these fishermen to follow Him, it was more of a command. “Come and follow Me,” and they left everything and followed Jesus, from what it appears with no hesitation.

At the young age of seventeen, Jesus came to me, and said “come follow Me” and I did. He didn’t literally show up and I wasn’t fishing, in fact, it was during a church service. After listening to the preaching, I accepted Jesus as my Savior and was baptized not too long after. Little did I know God had bigger plans for me that would definitely change my outlook in life, and my walk with God.

Two teenagers fishing the the Owens River for trout. — Fishing the Owens River with my daughters.

Before I graduated High School, one of our pastors invited me to attend bible training in Holland. It wasn’t a bible school, it was more of hands-on training, which gave me the opportunity to be mentored by the elders and deacons of the church. I still had to finish High School, so I had a few months to go before my departure.

I remember within that time I was thinking about all the fishing and hunting I will be missing with my brothers and family. I was going to leave behind the things I love, and live in a foreign country for who knows how long. I remember the day my family and so many from my church brought me to Los Angeles International Airport for my departure. I had just turned 18 and I was leaving my family and what dreams I had of my future behind.

As I sat in my seat in the airplane bound for Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, I was no longer thinking about fishing, hunting, the outdoors, or my career, but I was thinking of home and my family. I was thinking of my mom and dad and how much I missed them.

God is extremely gracious

I would spend the next two years traveling to Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Italy, and the Philippines. I would be mentored by the best, who loved Jesus and His Word. I am forever grateful to those in Holland and the Philippines specifically for guiding, leading, and teaching me in the Word, which has had a great impact on my walk with Jesus to this day.

So, would I follow Jesus? I made a decision to follow Jesus over 35 years ago, and I have never regretted my decision. I never would have dreamed that He would have opened doors to countries and people who have inspired, formed, and shaped how I live today. Following Jesus is not a burden, but a way of living, a relationship with our Creator.

I continue to enjoy the outdoors, but my outlook is so much different. I don’t want to be in the outdoors alone, I want to be there with my family and friends, and most of all with my Creator. Our God is an awesome God!