Bible; a half bottle of water; box of tissue; picture of me and my daughter at the Father-Daughter Ball; guitar tuner; glass jar filled with assorted candy my secretary keeps filled; half-read books; sticky notes listing people to call and things to do; my desk—a picture of my life. When I consider my past, and all that God has done for me, I stand amazed. For those who knew me before I met Jesus, they stand amazed too. Trust me; the change was radical.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would one day be a pastor. Truth is, if I had seen it coming, I probably would have run in the opposite direction as hard as I could. I’m so glad I didn’t—see it coming that is. I have to tell you, I love what I’m doing. Without a question, only God could have known that I would be so satisfied in the place I now sit.
Ironically, I moved to Florida to work on my uncle’s charter fishing boat. Little did I know how God would spin my love for fishing around and, like Peter and Andrew in the Bible, make me a fisher of men. I find great comfort in their story and also in mine. I especially like the part that describes how their lives were so radically changed. For me, the simple pattern contained in their story has served as a constant reminder of God’s method for changing us all. The account is located in Matthew’s Gospel chapter 4 verse 19.
“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And He said unto them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
That’s it; real simple. We follow, He makes. When I finally understood how it worked, so much of the frustration I was experiencing went away. In truth, every time I try to make myself into something, it inevitably ends up a mess. The idea of me following and letting Him do the making part has revolutionized my life.
I can honestly say that every significant and meaningful change I’ve experienced has been the result of God’s doing and not mine. Sure, I had to follow, but the burden of making was on Him. As a result, not only have I grown personally, and been deeply satisfied, but I’ve had the privilege of helping others do the same. Though I’m far from perfect, one thing I am is at peace. I’m absolutely convinced that as I keep following, He’ll keep making me into all that He wants me to be. In the end, one day, I’ll be just like Him. Hard to believe I know, but it is what the Bible promises for all who dare to believe.
Pastor Rob
Living Waters World Outreach Center – Donate Here
Originally published in the Fernandina Beach News-Leader
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