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As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea-for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
-Matthew 4:18-20
If you've been through the Welcome Center recently, you may have noticed the new bulletin board. The board highlights our mission efforts at JCPC and was done by one of our multitalented youth. It will feature the scripture from above, our calling to be fishers of people. If you've ever been wishing or even understand the concept, while it makes an excellent metaphor, fishing for fish and making disciples are not similar skill sets at all. Jesus isn't calling qualified men to come be his staff of disciple makers. He's calling ordinary people to join an extraordinary mission and be transformed by it.
Why do I mention this? I'm glad you asked. The church is full of mission and education and care opportunities to serve. Often, I think we follow the model of the world. We ask ourselves what we are good at doing and pursue it as a living or hobby. But Jesus is clear in the calling of the disciples. Some of our greatest callings can be to things we never considered or feel not at all qualified to attempt. And yet, we trust that God doesn't call the qualified but qualifies the called. From stuttering Moses to terrified Abraham and Sarah to Deborah to every disciple, prophet, priest, nun, saint, and Sunday school teacher, and most of us parents, aunts, and uncles.
This year, in 2019, you're likely to receive a call. God will call you by tugging on your heart or your sleeve. You'll get a phone call or a tap from me or Allison or one of our youth. And they'll say, "it's time. The Lord has need of you." My hope and prayer is that you'll prepare yourself now to say yes and open to God making you ready for this moment. Not qualified. Ready. Willing. Let's go be fishers.
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