You're listening to Encounter, a simple daily podcast to help you find the sacred in the ordinary.

We have 100 meditation episodes on this podcast, but if you want to listen for free to the entire library of 500, I encourage

you to download the Encountering Peace mobile app where all the meditations are free,

as they should be.

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter,

and his brother Andrew.

They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

Come follow me, Jesus said. As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth.

Follow me, he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

You know, we often miss the power behind these verses, what the words follow me meant to these

lowly fishermen and a despised tax collector. The words gave them purpose, the words gave them value.

Well, do you want to be known and valued and used by God?

This meditation from Matthew chapter 16 is a reflection on that longing to empty yourself of your false self and be filled with who you truly are, a disciple and follower of Christ.

So to begin, whether at the first shining rays of morning sun or the long shadows of evening,

allow the next 15 minutes to be a sanctuary, to contemplate what it means to deny yourself

and accept who you are in Christ.

Allow your breathing to settle now, and your eyes to drift from a soft gaze to closed.

And center on this place of following for a still moment as time of surrender and a prayer of silence to be filled with the presence of God,

spirit, and sun.

Continuing Continue in prayer by responding to this passage from Matthew 10, and as I lead us, respond simply, Jesus, I want to come and follow after you.

May he bless the reading of his word.

Listen carefully.

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