And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:19-20)
I’m always amazed by the story of Jesus calling his first disciples. Here are four working men going about their everyday lives when Jesus simply says “follow me.” No questions, no doubts, no “buts,” they IMMEDIATELY listen to the call and follow. If it were only that easy for all of us!
After five years in college and still searching for that perfect major, I took the summer “off” from the real world and found myself changed forever. In 1995, I spent my first summer working at Carol Joy Holling Camp, that’s where I first recognized the call into ministry. I had the wonderful opportunity of working with many different confirmation groups and their pastors. It was through much conversation and some pushing from these pastors that the call became clear. Following that first summer at CJH, I changed colleges and my major once again and I found myself at Midland Lutheran College majoring in Youth and Family Ministry. For once in my life the plans I was making for my future felt right.
It was at Midland that I really learned what it meant to “fish for people.” I was blessed to be part of campus ministry and to find internship sites that challenged my ideas and taught me more about all the children of God. I continued to grow into my call through my education, the next three summers at CJH and many days and nights of questioning this life decision.
My call has taken me in many different directions. I made my way from outdoor ministry to campus ministry to congregational ministry. I have been able to share my faith through writing for Augsburg Fortress and Lutheran World Relief. The call is ever evolving. It’s an ever changing and growing process to listen to the call of God. Eventually, I was called from full-time youth and family ministry at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Omaha into full-time, stay-at-home mom, as my family and I moved to Kansas City. I continue to listen to God calling me to use the gifts he has given to me. Today, I’m being called not only to mother but also to volunteer in confirmation education and committee work at our current congregation.
I’m constantly searching for what it is that God is calling me to do with my life. Listening to God’s call has changed my life in super ways. I never want to miss another call or go without searching. There are too many things that could be missed. Right now as I enjoy volunteering I look toward the future and where God is taking me. I feel called into the ministry of spiritual direction and if that call is still loud and clear when we relocate back to Omaha I will answer that call and return to school.
Lord only knows where the call will take us. And thank God the Lord knows. As he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately, they left their nets and followed him. May God bless you in your call as He has blessed me.
Mindy Muller