Does the idea of listening to Jesus’ call in your life scare you just a little? Especially in context of how we spend our days, and how we make our livelihood. I mean, what if he asks us to give away everything we have and go live in a developing country?
In Matthew 4:18-25, we read of Jesus’ call to Peter and Andrew, and then James and John. All fishermen. We don’t have much detail about what was going on up to that point in Jesus’ ministry, but when we look at this passage chronologically, we find that it’s very likely that these men had been hearing Jesus teach and observing some of his miracles prior to this encounter on the shores of Galilee.
Whether or not that is the case, what I noticed in a recent reading of this passage is that Jesus spoke to them about their calling in context of what they were already doing. He said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” I think it might be the only reference recorded of Jesus verbally connecting the dots between someone’s secular vocation and their spiritual calling. But I wonder if that is often what he intends when it comes to our following him.
With the exception of callings such as missionaries, pastors, or other special vocations, most of God’s people are called to follow him without making a huge change in their daily work. It is simply a mind or intention shift.
For example, consider a computer networker. If Jesus came by the office of one of his disciples who was employed in this profession, he might say, “Follow me and I will make you a spiritual networker.” For a professional caregiver, he might say “Follow me and I will make you a caregiver of souls.” It is possible for someone to have a complete paradigm shift in their calling without ever changing careers! Often there is something about our natural abilities that God wants to use in a spiritual dimension.
My guess is that Peter and his fellow fishermen were in their “sweet spot” as fishermen. When our daily work is also reflective of our giftedness, it makes it easier to make the connection between work and vocation. But it isn’t impossible if that is not the case.
Other biblical examples, in no particular order, are the shepherds, magi, tentmaker (Paul helped build spiritual houses as well as tent dwellings), a business woman (Lydia), a dressmaker (Dorcas), a centurion, a tax collector (Matthew), a doctor (Luke), a child, a widow, a barren woman, a person with rental property (upper room), a farmer, a common peasant woman, and a teacher (Nicodemus).
What is your calling? You may start your reflection by thinking about the life experiences you have had that you have particularly felt a deep connection with. Or just start with where you are now, and ask God how to make what you are doing more spiritually fruitful by changing your perspective.