When Jesus Chooses You

“One day as he was walking along the beach beside the Lake of Galilee, he saw two brothers – Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew – out in a boat fishing with a net, for they were commercial fishermen.
Jesus called out, ‘Come along with me and I will show you how to fish for the souls of men!’  And they left their nets at once and went with him.
A little farther up the beach he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and he called to them to come too.  At once they stopped their work and, leaving their father behind, went with him.” Matthew 4:18 -22 The Living Bible

How honored these four fishermen must have felt to be chosen by Jesus to further His Kingdom. But God had prepared them.  They were introduced to Jesus by John the Baptist and were there when Jesus was baptized. God always prepares us before He call us.  If He calls we can be assured that he also enables us or gifts us to do the work He asks of us. These four men were fishermen but Jesus called them to be fishers of men.

 Are you hearing God’s call too but hanging back, not quite sure that you want to or can do what He asks of you?  A few years ago I really believed that God was calling me to write for Him.  I always wanted to be a teacher but since my husband was a builder it made sense to me to run the office for him, do the bookwork and all that it entails.  But the time came when it became feasible for him to sell the business and at middle age I went back to college for my credentials to teach preschool.  And what fun I had.  I loved teaching. Preschoolers are so impressionable and I fell in love with them as they fell in love with me. 

So I taught a few years but I never forgot about my dream.  Ever since I was an adolescent I dreamed of being a writer.  I had taken some courses in writing years ago, did some writing but decided to leave it for some profitable job instead. 

When we moved to Calgary I took advantage of all the employment opportunities and worked in an office.  I liked it but there was always that ache to be write.  I chided myself that I was too busy and I didn’t want to spend all that time writing my book and then maybe not having it published.  Office work was my safer choice.

I knew God was calling me to write, especially this specific book that was forming in my mind.  Through some wonderful people’s encouragement I finally quit my job and wrote while I helped my daughter home school my grandkids. And God has been faithful in guiding me and bringing me to have my book The Lion Tree published and much more in my writer’s world.
I also have a children’s picture book, A Christmas Present for Goliath that my granddaughter illustrated, ready to go to the printers.  My next book, Battle in the Lion Tree, is in the making.

You too can trust God in His call in your life. God is faithful. If He calls you He will do it.

Bible Truths to Share with Your Kids:

Do you ever wonder why you’re here on earth?  What God make you for?  You’re busy all day enjoying your activities: school, sports, friends, family and your hobbies.  But sometimes you might wonder, how does this all come together?

God has given you those interests and talents and abilities. Maybe you’re great in music, or in sports.  Maybe you’re a real leader.  Your friends and even your teacher look to you to initiate things.  Maybe you’re very socialable and just love being with kids and interacting.  Maybe you’re quiet but your mind is always analyzing what’s going on around you.  God has given you these individual gifts and is already developing them in your life to fit in with the plans He has for your life that He will reveal in His time.  He has chosen you to serve Him in these ways. He is already using them in your life to be a blessing to others.

Just as Jesus called these four fishermen to come follow Him Jesus is calling you to use your talents and abilities to bring glory to Him.  I hope you have big dreams of how you can use these specific gifts to please Him more and more as you mature.  God promises that He is faithful; He will be there for you making sure you can accomplish what He calls you do to for Him.