He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." (Lk 5:4-5 NRSV)
Regardless of our profession, God calls us to make disciples wherever we go. Sometimes ministry opportunities seem to "fall out of the sky." At other times, my experience has taught me the ministry opportunities are more difficult to see.
Let me give you an example: Some people are easy to love. God places these people in our lives and theres some connection. We connect with these people on a deeper level. We might have the same goals in life, similar ambitions, or similar passions. Other people God places in our life are more difficult to love. These would be people we don't have much in common. We're at different points in our spiritual journey. And perhaps we don't understand them. There may be some personality traits that we just don't care for. And yet God calls us to love those people the same.
If this sounds like McKnight's Jesus Creed, that's because it is. In fact, it is original with Jesus. Jesus calls us to things we're not comfortable with. Jesus gives us ways which offer huge growth opportunities. They don't make sense at the time. Many times, we don't really want to follow directions. Often we give excuses as to why we shouldn't.
But because you say so... And that's when success happens. That's when the one loving gets a blessing as well. Ministry happens. That's when we realize it really is all about Christ.
Anything you want to add, modify, delete?
Jesus, king on his terms, not ours
4 hours ago
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At other times, my experience has taught me the ministry opportunities are more difficult to see...
i find this line wonderfully true.
it is just this, "i don't know", part of life that causes us to follow and be surprised... CONSTANTLY being reminded that God is at the steering wheel goind up and down hills and around blind curves. it is overwhelmingly scary yet exciting. it can cause us to throw up our hands in a strange combination of surrender and praise to our God. it is quite a ride to say the least.
yes...it also might plain cause us to throw up...that is, more than our hands, but everything we have eaten before.
"it is quite a ride to say the least."
So true Nancy! God doesn't call us to a life of safety. It's all about living on the "edge", knowing that He covers the edge as well.
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