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As he was walking by the shore of Lake Galilee, Jesus noticed two fishermen who were brothers. One was nicknamed Keefa (later called Peter), and the other was Andrew, his brother. Watching as they were casting their nets into the water, Jesus called out to them and said, “Come and follow me, and I will transform you into men who catch people for God.” Immediately they dropped their nets and left everything behind to follow Jesus. (Matthew 4.18 – 20, The Passion Translation)

It’s a familiar passage: “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Here are some simple observations:

• I think it’s fair that this was a special call to “leave everything behind to follow Jesus.” Not everyone is called in that way. 
• Jesus called Peter and Andrew while they were working! One doesn’t sit around doing nothing while waiting for Jesus’ call. I served 20 years in the Air Force, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1990. I ran a statistical consulting business for another 10 years. I had just returned from Europe where I had been teaching courses in training development for Azusa Pacific University, and I was in Washington, D.C., working with a client on test development when my call came: a literal call from a friend in Alabama asking me to apply for a church staff job in discipleship. I was working, and my immediate response was “not interested.” But we did apply; we were hired, moved from Colorado to Alabama, and started work six months later. 
• The call involves transformation. “I will transform you…” Our time in Alabama was transformational, too, but that’s a subject for another blog!
• The call is for a mission. “…men who catch people for God.” I’m not called for my personal enrichment. Following Jesus is about mission. And as I’ve written here many times, the mission is for ALL, whether we have a special call or not. 2 Timothy 2.2, “What you have heard from me …commit to faithful people who will teach others also.” It’s so easy, anyone can do it, even “lay” people. It’s so important, everyone must do it, even Christian professionals. As one pastor said, “Preaching is my day job; my real calling is to invest in men to make reproducing disciples.”