I’ll be calling you …
by Pastor Tim Klein
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And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them (Matthew 4:21).
Read Matthew 4:18–25
Old Mr Nowotny would regularly greet me after church in Northam when I was a young man: ‘When will you be a pastor like your father?’ I would smile and brush off the comment … until one day, married and with our first two children, I had a strong sense of a call to ministry. My wife confirmed that call, saying she had a similar feeling. Less than 12 months later, we had sold our little cottage home, packed up our goods and chattels, and followed that call to Adelaide, where I studied and prepared for pastoral ministry. That call took place just over 40 years ago.
Even though I am retiring from full-time ministry in January (as you read this, I’m already retired), the call remains. I hope to respond and share the good news well into whatever years the Lord gives me. One day, I will lay back in the arms of the Lord: Lord, into your hands, I commit myself!
God’s call is for all of us. He calls all of us to follow – in whatever capacity he gives.
We might not know where answering the call will take us – place, situations and people. But we do know the destination. In a way, those early followers stepped into the kingdom of God when they stepped into the company of Jesus. With that understanding, our destination is already happening.
You might like to reflect on what it has meant for you to be a follower of Jesus. Where has that taken you? Who have been some of the characters you have met along the way? Who have you served with? What have been your experiences? What blessings have you been able to bring to others? What blessings have you received? I’m sure you have other things to reflect on.
Maybe the Lord is calling you right now to follow him into something new.
We do not travel alone. Jesus’ words ring in my ears from time to time, especially during the tough times: ‘I am with you always, even to the end of the age!’
Lord, thank you for your call at work in our lives. Open our ears, eyes and hearts to hear your call. Give us willing hands and feet to follow and serve. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand. Not retired but repurposed on 12 January, this husband of wife Joy, father of three and grandfather of 10 intends to spend more time in the garden, write some songs that have long lingered in his mind and heart and keep up with the activities of his grandchildren and friends. He also has several active beehives that need managing, with some still to be constructed and populated. Tim will continue his voluntary service as a chaplain with SA Police.
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