Reading through the calling of the first disciples I saw a simple statement, that deeply impacted me.
"Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." Matthew 4:21-22
The last part of this is so full of meaning.
'Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.' This tells us a few things;
They left their boat. They left their future. To follow Jesus a man must be willing to lay down the plans that they have for their future, because no longer will they follow their own ways, but instead are under a new authority. Their livelihood was sea fishing, now, it is fishing for men. If we want the fullness of His presence, then we must go where He goes.
They left their father. They left their past. They left their identity. They were defined as the sons of Zebedee, and derived their identity from their family unit. It is their past, the family upbringing determines the way in which we view the world, and our past was created within this. But for Jesus to mold these men into the people who were to usher in a kingdom and prepare a bride, they cannot have that upbringing. They are united to royalty, and their inheritance no longer is the boat and fish of their earthly dad, but the spiritual gifts of their heavenly Father. Only with this identity and the freedom that comes from releasing your past to God were they able to receive the kingdom of heaven.
God wants your future, and he also wants your past. If you want the full measure of God, stop using your own measuring cup. It's too small, your concept of the future is limited by your framework of the past. let go and receive the measuring cup of heaven, that is overflowing with the promises and purposes of God.
Be blessed!
Daniel