Heaven’s HR department

As Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers who were fishermen, Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew, catching fish in the lake with a net. Jesus said to them, ‘Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people.’ At once they left their nets and went with him.
(verses 18-20)

Read Matthew 4: 18-25

Taking up a new career is a very complicated process these days. You don’t just search the paper for a new job, you have to go on­line and check the Net too (not Peter’s fishing net, the Internet). Another new trend is where, as well as having your ‘core competencies’ assessed, the HR (Human Resources) Department might put you through a psychological test too. Supposedly it matches you to the job and the people you’ll work with, but some cynics suspect it’s simply so your new boss knows how to control you.

Jesus worked a bit differently. His method for Peter and Andrew was simply to say, ‘Come on. Let’s go!’ And they did, dropping everything, straightaway, to join Jesus.

Jesus issues the same invitation to you. He doesn’t first check you out, inside and out, and then assess you to make sure you’ve got all the skills and qualities to qualify to join his family. Jesus takes you just as you are, ‘Come on. Let’s go.’ Then it’s all over to you. Are you prepared to drop everything and go with him? Are you?

Jesus, I guess if I had to ‘qualify’ to be part of your family, I wouldn’t measure up. Thank you for inviting me as I am. Yes, I’m ready to go with you. Amen.

by contributor, in ‘Direction for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2006)

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