Called to a Life of Purpose

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.”  Matthew 4:18-19

There is a strong Scandinavian tradition of having a ship hanging from the ceiling.  For those for whom so much time was spent on the sea, the offering of such an appointment was made as a prayer for safe passage for those who traveled the seas.  It is more than just an offering, but also a symbol of what the Church is.

Jesus calls Simon and Andrew and then the sons of Zebedee to follow him.  The call is more than just following Jesus and watching all the remarkable things He would do, thought it was also that.  The call was more than just being students of the Master Teacher, though it was also that.  The call was to a life of purpose – being fishermen in God’s mission of drawing men and women out of the sea of sin and death and into security of the ship that is the Christian Church.  The word nave for the center of the church where the congregation sits is drawn from that symbolism.  Likewise, the ark is a symbol of the Church where the people are rescued by God’s mighty deliverance.

Like the disciples, when our Lord calls people into service in the Church, it is a call to a life of purpose.  Every vocation has a purpose and is a means by which God serves.  However, the call to service in the Church is a call that is focused on the purpose of rescuing and keeping people safe in the care of God’s Church.

Our Lord has need of young men and women for His kingdom work.  May God lead more young men to pastoral ministry and young people to service as teachers and other servants in the Church!  Please watch for young people who you can encourage to consider church vocations and pray for the next generations of pastors, teachers and servants in the Church.

Prayer – Merciful Lord, for the benefit of Your people You call faithful men and women to serve in a variety of offices in Your Church.  Grant that Your Holy Spirit may lead and guide young people to consider lives of service to Christ and His Church; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan