Nets and Tents

At once they left their nets and followed him (Mark 1:18).

We were not idle when we were with you . . . On the contrary we worked day and night, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you (2 Thess. 3:7-8).

Jesus says, “Follow me.” The Christian understanding of calling is no more complicated than that; a simple invitation to follow, to live the Jesus way, to become like our teacher. What Jesus said then he says today. Every one of us, no matter where we are or what we do, has a calling. “Follow me.”

The struggle comes in knowing exactly how to do that.

When Peter heard that call he left his work. Same with James and John. The gospel of Mark states this with brevity. “They left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:18).

When Paul heard the same call he developed his skills as a tent maker. This is easily eclipsed by Paul’s work as a missionary and church planter – religious work. But Paul never made a living from religion. He makes it clear that he worked to support himself. He labored day and night so as not to be a burden to anyone.

Following Jesus means that we live in a constant rhythm of letting go and holding on, of releasing and receiving. Sometimes we follow Jesus the way Peter did. We hear the call to follow and we sense that our obedience will take to some new place, a new endeavor, a work we’ve not done before.

And sometimes we follow like Paul. We engage our work as a way of strengthening our witness. It’s true that Paul was a preacher – and a powerful one at that. But Paul validated his preaching by pointing to his labor, the craft of tent making. His words about Jesus were backed up by his work. When Paul wanted to defend his work as a missionary, he pointed to the life he lived among people and the way he worked.

Where are you in this rhythm today?

Some of you are following Jesus and sensing that this means making some changes. You hear our Lord’s call ands it seems to be pulling you to a different place, a different work. You may be like Peter, currently settled in familiar work that you do very well. But somehow Jesus is calling you to leave the nets. This can be unnerving, but sometimes the Spirit does this.

Others of you hear the call to follow Jesus, and being obedient means that you need to stay where you are and do your work with excellence. Your witness to others is rooted in the way you do your work.

What is clear about both the nets (Peter) and the tents (Paul) is that work is never seen as barrier or hindrance to the life of faith. Spirituality is not nurtured by escaping the weight of the net or the stitching of the tent – the ordinary and mundane tasks. Jesus may redefine your work. Jesus may reinforce the work you are already doing. Either way, the way you expend your energy between breakfast and bedtime is a sacred gift.

Prayer:
Today, Lord Jesus, I will follow you by doing my work to the best of my ability. As I work, help me to discern how you are leading me. If you are calling me to a new thing, give me courage to do it. If you would have me bear witness in this place, help me to work with renewed energy. And in all my work, I will give you thanks for the calling to be your follower wherever I am. Amen.