Last Wednesday we discussed our motivation, particularly our early motivation to be Sunday school servants. It was funny, embarrassing, but touching when i look back on the long journey i’ve been walking in. Sometimes i examine my heart just to get back my pure motivation and many times i’ve found my self too proud with my long journey. That’s the most harmful threat in walking with God..." pride attack"; up and down, falling and raising are the colours of my ministry.
I never count how many years i’ve been serving Him as Sunday school servant but tonight i recall and realize that i’ve been 7 years holding this “amazing trust” and “precious privilege”. Not a short time, it’s quite long but again i examine my heart “have I truly served HIM for 7 years? Or in the long journey of 7 years i just play around??”
Before being a Sunday school teacher, i ever told God that i wanted to become a pastor. At that time i thought that being a pastor was the only way to serve God. But life made me change my early desire and i seemed to run away from my childhood dream. I decided not being a pastor but still wanted to serve God. After finishing my faith confirmation (in Indonesian we call this class; “katekisasi sidi”, it’s a kind of class to prepare students who have passed Sunday school before they confess their faith among the church. It takes one year bible study), my spiritual leader came and asked me to serve in Sunday school. At the first time i was not really interested but because of my switched promise, then i told him that i wanted to teach. So, my early motivation was just to find an escape coz i didn’t want to be a pastor.
Nevertheless, i strongly believe that God never puts anyone in the wrong place. Even though you think that it might be wrong but it’s not. when i decided to teach at Sunday school i thought that i had been lying God but again I believe it was His way to bring me closer to my calling---teaching--- and as the time running swiftly i finally realized that i’ve been in the right place, the place He has set for me. I know there’s no more blame about my past decision.
When Jesus called his first disciples, i always wonder what was their motivation to follow Him. it happened when Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:18) and met two brethren were casting their nets into the see for they were fishers. He just asked them “follow me and i’ll make you fishers of man” and they straightway left their nets and followed Him. also the same way occurred with the sons of Zebedee. They didn’t think for twice. I kept asking my self what’s special inside the call from Jesus “follow me and i’ll make you the fishers of men”. He didn't offer something precious like a settle or money or a better job, it was only two things:
“follow me ” and “I will make you fishers of man”.
So, what makes them follow Him if nothing better He offered? What was their motivation?
The sentence “follow me” might seem simple for us, yet it can deeply touch our hearts depends on who tells these words. If it is told by a bossy arrogant man to someone i believe the man he calls wont ever follow him. however it was spoken by the ONE who can touch every heart, it was the WORD of The Son of the Living GOD, that’s why it’s so powerful. The bible says that it can root out and pull down, destroy and throw down, build and plant (Jeremiah 1:10). It’s true when Jesus said “follow me” His words directly touched their deepest hearts and impressed them so much that’s why without hesitation they left their nets. The words Follow me actually means “Receive my doctrines, imitate me in my conduct - in every respect be my disciples” (according to the commentary of Clarke, quoted from theWord-school of Ministry version (www.ccsom.org)). So a calling from GOD doesn't mean just to follow or to walk together with Him but more than it all; fully follow all His ways including His doctrines and His conducts.
After saying “Follow me” He said “I will make you fishers of man”. I’m sure this new job wont give them more money than their former job but there’s actually something greater inside this job. Their past job was to cast their nets for fish but the new one was Heavenly calling that is to cast nets as wide as possible to reach those who are walking in the darkness. Their nets had turned to be the light they brought to reach people for GOD’s kingdom. To be the fishers of man means to be the partnership of Christ’s ministry. If the former job gains perish things (money, prosperity), the new job retains unperished things (eternal life). By giving the new job for them Jesus wants to switch their focus, from the perished thing to the eternal thing.
No wonder when Jesus said “follow me and i’ll make you the fishers of man” they didn't hesitate leaving all the things they had gained for Jesus though He didn't offer prosperity. All they did is just to purely follow Him. that’s their motivation.
A friend of mine ever reminded me when i was too weary doing ministry. He said “you know it’s such a privilege to serve the King of kings”. If you are asked by Mr. President to serve him as a cook or a house servant,you may feel so glad and proud. Isn't Jesus much more important than Mr.President? He is the king of kings, the Lord of lords, isnt it a great honor to be “the fishers of man”?
7 years have passed by and a long journey has been waiting in front of me. Many possibilities might come but since i’ve put my eyes on Jesus all i’ll do is to joyfully serve HIM, my King of kings till one day when He comes He’ll say “ you are all fair, my love, and there’s no spot in you” (Song of Solomon 4:7). That’s all i wanna hear from Him when He comes again in HIS glory.
Stay blessed,
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