They were just doing their job. They were fishermen trying to feed their families and run their business. Life was good. They were happy. Then they met him.
No, they couldn’t leave their work, right? They had been fishermen their entire lives. They knew how to fish. They knew what would come tomorrow. They had their nets and boats and hooks and everything they need to be fishermen. People were relying on them to bring in fish for their dinners.
Those thoughts came and went in just an instant. Meeting him had changed their lives.
They left their nets and boats and followed him.
Jesus said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. (Mark 1:17-18)
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
It is so easy to be content with what we have–with the lives we have built for ourselves. We get comfortable so easily. We live our day to day lives knowing what to expect and planning ahead for our future.
When was the last time you intentionally embraced your weaknesses?
St. Paul writes,
“I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
God needs us to embrace our weaknesses so that his grace can work in our lives. The more we try to stay in our comfort zone, the more we will unintentionally ignore God’s grace.
I’ll admit even writing this post is difficult for me. I have developed some skills at writing “how-to” articles over the last three years. I don’t feel competent writing inspirational pieces.
But I need to do it.
I need to embrace the uncomfortable. We all do.
Reflection Questions
1. When was the last time you did something that you feared?
2. What activities or tasks are you afraid to do?
3. What challenges make you uncomfortable?
4. What activities or tasks, either at work or at home, do not challenge you?
5. When was the last time you asked God for help?
