Called Out: The Courage to Fully Follow Jesus - Charlaine Martin
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Matthew 14:27 NIV
Adding our family to the tiny congregation doubled attendance. These sweet senior church members had been praying for a pastor to lead and grow their church. They couldn’t give up. On our end, we had prayed for a church who’d appreciate my husband’s ministry and our family after we’d endured the spiritual abuse of our previous church’s leadership. Later, we discovered this faithful remnant had survived spiritual abuse by their previous pastor. But Don, my late husband, also found a pastor’s paperwork detailing how haughty leaders had abused pastors prior to the pastor who almost shut them down. God called us to serve this faithful remnant who remained.
God provided for us miraculously as we nurtured our microchurch for almost ten years.
We had no idea what we’d encounter when Don answered God’s call to become a pastor. We knew pastors usually don’t get paid what they are worth, they move frequently, and Sundays aren’t the pastor’s family’s day of rest. Our experiences taught us that some church leaders have the narcissistic notion of becoming great and powerful with a minion doing their bidding. It also meant that sometimes they didn’t pay their pastors at all or would cheat them on their retirement fund. Some would make life in the parsonage absolutely unbearable. However, God also demonstrated that healthy believers want to nurture their pastors to be the best leaders for their congregations. They want to minister to their pastor’s family as much as they receive from them, if not more. They often go above and beyond to honor their pastors’ families.
Dig In
Following God’s call isn’t for the weak-hearted. It takes hard work and tremendous courage. Peter and the other disciples learned this lesson one stormy night on their boat. They had put in long hours ministering to a huge crowd. Afterward, Jesus stayed but sent His disciples back to the boat. Then, He prayed by Himself until late into the night. But around 3 a.m. Jesus walked across the sea toward the small boat that rocked and rolled with the turbulent waves. Alarmed, thinking they saw a ghost, they watched him walk across the water’s surface. He assured them, “‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
The impulsive, faith-filled disciple, Peter, asked Jesus to call him out onto the water if it was indeed Him. So Jesus replied, “Come.” Of course, we know the rest of the story, where most pastors and Bible study leaders like to camp out. But let’s focus on Jesus’ statement to the disciples in the boat as He approached them, “Don’t be afraid.” Courage. That’s all they needed. “It is I.” Trust Jesus is who He says He is, and have the courage to join Him when He calls.
Grow and Go
We watch ministry leaders and how God works through His amazing servants, just ordinary people empowered by the Holy Spirit. Some serve in support areas of the church and parachurch ministries and in their workplaces, schools, or neighborhoods. Many began by asking God,” Can I hear Your voice or do something for You?” And then, eventually, He calls, “It is I…Come.” Some fail because they allow their circumstances to overwhelm them, while others keep their eyes on Jesus.
When God calls His people to serve, how can we say “No”? We have the privilege of serving our risen Savior out of gratitude.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you long to hear God’s voice or join Him in His work?
- Will you keep your eyes on Him, not your circumstances, as you answer His call?
- What is He calling you to do for God’s Kingdom?
Prayer
Lord, I want to hear Your voice and feel Your presence in my life. Will you call me out to serve with You? What would you have me do and where? I want to demonstrate my love for You, Lord, through my service using my gifts and talents. Thank you for calling me out. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
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Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®
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