Left everything and followed Him (Luke 5:1-11) 280107
I have never imagined myself to be a preacher or maybe a pastor one day. I have never wanted to be in Chrisitan ministry. I have never thought of being a teacher even. But I have many ambitions when I was young. I have wanted to be a taxi driver, but I don’t even have a class 3 driving license now, only class 2B, can only ride a motorbike. I have wanted to be chef, but my cooking skill is private limited, only my CG members are gracious and bold enough to try them. I have wanted to be a policeman, but at least I was an hononarary volunteer special constable when I was a teacher, the one that doesn’t carry pistol. I have wanted to be an army officer, but I am only an officer as an acting Boys’ Brigade Captain.
Do you ever have things that you have wanted to do but never come to pass? Surely there are, right? As for me, the most interesting part is not being unable to fulfil my childhood dreams, it is what I have turned out to become now, a Theological student, preparing for further Christian ministry.
When I read today’s passage, it just somehow click within me. When people ask me why I want to go into full-time Christian ministry, I actually can’t give a very clear and logical answer. I just remember that the year before I graduate from university, I heard a call for full-time ministry, at that time, I have absolutely no idea what it meant to be in a full-time Christian ministry. But I somehow sense the need, and being helpful, I volunteered and responded. At that point, I don’t have a very specific calling to any ministry, but I just volunteered. Just like Simon Peter, I just simply obey Jesus, and discover my sinfulness (v5, v8). Then it was later as the Lord led me into teaching and counselling, there is where I recieved God’s calling to youth ministry through vision and His Word.
It isn’t any easy step to take. There are times, even now, I am afraid and uncertain of the future. I don’t want to pretend that I am a man of great faith, the truth is that I have my struggles to trust and follow Jesus. But His assurrance is always there, calming down my anxiety, telling me ‘don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men’ (v10). These words not only give strength and comfort and assurrance, but also give me a sense of purpose and vision in life. It just reminds me again of my calling, to be a good shepherd to my sheep. And I pray that I will be like Simon Peter, James and John, left everything and followed Him (v11). Jesus, I will follow You.
How about you? Do you have a calling in life that is not fulfil yet? Are you willing to left everything and follow Him? Is there an area of you life that you are holding on very dearly which God is speaking to you today to let go and leave everything and follow Him? It can be your career, studies, relationships or even your pride or a lifestyle which is not pleasing to Him. Pray for God’s comfort and assurance and leave everything and follow Him.
