Answering the Call

“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”

— Matthew 4:18–20 (ESV)

How do we know what Jesus is calling us to do? In Matthew 4, the call was plain. Jesus looked at Simon Peter and Andrew as they worked along the seashore and said, “Follow me.” Without hesitation, they dropped their nets and followed Him.

At that moment, Jesus hadn’t yet walked on water, raised the dead, or stood before the Roman authorities. He hadn’t even performed the miracles we know Him for. Yet these fishermen, ordinary men, trusted His word enough to leave everything behind.

Fast forward over two thousand years, and we’re still called by those same words: “Follow me.” The difference is, Jesus isn’t walking up to us physically on a beach. Instead, He speaks through the Spirit. That tugging at your heart, that deep unrest when you try to force your own plans, that’s the Holy Spirit pulling you toward God’s will.

I remember one of my first trips to Pakistan. I made all the plans I thought I needed. I had the itinerary, the projects, the vision—all mapped out. But none of it came together the way I expected. The only part of my plan that worked was getting on the airplane. Everything else? God re-wrote it. And when I let go of my own reins and allowed Him to lead, His plan was greater than I could have imagined.

That’s the way of the call. We like to control—our jobs, our bank accounts, our children, our daily routines. But when it comes to God’s call, we are not in control. He is. And the sooner we open our hands and release our grip, the sooner His will flows through us.

Jesus calls each of us uniquely. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). For some, that looks like preaching to hundreds on a Sunday morning. For others, it looks like sweating on a Tuesday afternoon at a job site, wearing a cross on your chest and sharing Jesus with one coworker. Different callings, same purpose: to glorify Christ.

Paul reminds us: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). The key is that word called. If you are in Christ, you have a purpose. It may not be flashy or famous, but it is eternal.

To discern it, you need daily discipline—reading the Word, praying, fasting, surrounding yourself with strong believers who challenge you in truth. Remember, Jesus said: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34). His calling will sometimes divide, sometimes cost, but it always comes with His grace and His love.

Today, open your hands. Release the reins. Ask God for clarity. Let His Spirit guide you to the purpose for which you were called.

Prayer

Father,

Thank You for calling me to follow You.

Forgive me for the times I’ve tried to take control,

forcing my own plans instead of surrendering to Yours.

Teach me to hear the Spirit’s leading,

to let go of my grip,

and to walk boldly into the calling You’ve placed on my life.

Whether my purpose is quiet or world-changing,

help me to be faithful where You’ve planted me.

In Christ’s name, Amen.

Takeaway

Every believer is called. The question isn’t if, but whether we’ll drop our nets and follow.