My Calling
Recently we have been watching the Chosen at my church. It has given me a new passion for the story of Christ. And I keep finding myself reading about how Jesus called his disciples. Simon’s story in particular is fascinating to me. After all the boats were pulled to shore, Jesus asks to go out on Simon’s boat to speak to the crowd. After his address, he told Simon to cast his net off the side and see what they catch. I imagine Simon’s confused and reluctant posture as he explains they caught nothing that day and it won’t work. But he obeys anyways, and they nearly sink the boats with all the fish pulled in! Simons reaction is immediately to repent and confess he is a sinner. Jesus’ response is DON’T BE AFRAID, COME FOLLOW ME, and Simon leaves all behind and follows him.
Wow! What a powerful story! What if that story could be me? What if Jesus came to me with a promise that I will be a fisher of men, not only so, but my catch will be so large that I will have to call my friends to come to help me pull it all in. What if he asked me to leave everything and follow him? Will I go?
The most amazing part is this isn’t just a fun story, Jesus has called me. He has an incredible plan for what is going to happen in Southeast Asia through me, my team, and the other Christ-followers there. My calling didn’t happen on a fishing boat. It started as a young child growing up in East Africa, seeing people’s lives changed as eternal hope was shared with them. And I knew I was going to partner with Jesus to bind up the broken-hearted and bring hope and peace to nations.
Though out the last year and a half I have been seeking God’s confirmation for this calling. I also sought advice from people around me. On one hand, I heard “Yes! Go for it, if God is calling you, he has a beautiful plan. It will be worth every sacrifice you make.” On the other hand, I heard: “these are your prime years. You should get more experience and skills here. you can’t leave your boyfriend behind, what if you can’t get a job when you get back?”
Honestly, it was scary hearing so much fear-based advice, especially from really wise people. But ultimately, I kept coming to the same conclusion, I serve Jehovah-Jireh, He will provide. The biggest sacrifice for me right now is leaving behind my boyfriend. This is really hard; often God doesn’t call us into easy. But I also know that we can never out-give God, that as we lay down our lives, and obey, he blesses us beyond what we can ask or imagine. Obedience to Christ isn’t a piece of cake, but it is the best possible way you to spend your life.
The words God told Joshua as he took leadership over Isreal were, “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses… 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them… Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1
This is the type of God we follow, and to that, I say your promises are yes and amen. And I will follow. Are you with me?
What am I doing?
I will be working as a nurse in SE Asia. More specifically I will be teaching medical English and working as a consultant in the government hospital and university in the capital. Our organization believes in holistic development and education just as Jesus demonstrated in his life. He didn’t just come to teach and preach, he came as a friend, healer, brother, carpenter, he fed the hungry. He was a servant among sinners and broken bread with tax collectors.
Jesus painted a clear image that people do not just need to be saved, but their earthly needs and experiences are important too. He walked among them and met the physical, spiritual, mental, relational, and emotional needs of those around him. We strive to do the same in our professional work, to build relationships, to teach, and to demonstrate as Christ did. We train trainers so that they are equipped to build their nation and broke the chains of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual poverty.
I hope this encourages you to not listen to the voices of fear that state that God is not enough. He always is. If you are afraid of not getting a job when you come back or leaving behind loved ones or fundraising or living in a foreign place, maybe this is exactly what you should do to learn what type of God we follow. He will blow your mind, I guarantee it. He will provide, I promise. It won't be easy, but following Jesus is always worth the sacrifice.