Invitation to a New Vocation
Scripture Reading — Luke 5:4-11
"Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."
Jesus' calling to be "fishers of men" is not simply a hobby we can pick up in our spare time. It's at the very heart of the Christian faith. Every church and every believer is called by God to be involved in this mission.
In our reading for today Jesus turns to Peter and says, in effect, "Until this time your whole life has revolved around catching and marketing fish. But come with me, and I will teach you how to catch men, women, and children for the kingdom of God!"
Jesus' words for us today are similar. He says to us, "The fishing business is fine--as is the computer, the insurance, and the health-care business. But every other earthly activity pales in comparison to helping an individual come to know me in a personal way." We must not let ourselves become so preoccupied with our occupations that we forget our greater vocation from God.
When the Titanic sank in 1912, only about one third of its passengers found their way onto a lifeboat to be rescued. Tragically many boats were only half-filled, and only one boat returned to rescue other people.
If you are a believer, do you simply stay in your "holy huddle," waiting for Jesus to take you safely home? Or do you circle back, getting close enough to the drowning so that you can reach out a hand and bring them on board the lifeboat of Jesus?
Lord, may our hearts be committed to reaching out to lost people with Jesus' love. Help us to get close enough to invite them into fellowship with you. For your sake, Amen.
About the author — Dan Jongsma
Daniel Jongsma serves as an interim pastor in Fulton, Illinois. He has pastored congregations in Elmhurst and Fulton, Illinois; in Dearborn, Michigan; and in Nashville, Tennessee. Dan also served as a church planter in the Chicago area. He and his wife, Gloria, have three daughters and four grandchildren.
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