A team of potential
Mark 1:14-20
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Jesus is choosing a team of disciples. He’s calling people to walk with Him and learn from Him for the next three years, and then (by the power of the Holy Spirit) to continue on his work of building His church long after His own death, resurrection and ascension.
Does He choose those with the loudest voice? Those most likely to reach the most people because of their public standing? Those with enough wealth to fund this giant project? Does He gather a team of all-stars? No. Instead He called fishermen and in the next chapter a tax collector. These were not people who the public would naturally listen to for their spiritual insights. But these were people who were ready to follow, willing to grow and who recognised their own need.
Is God calling you into something you feel woefully unqualified for? It’s when you can’t rely on your own strength that you have to rely on His, and in that space, you get to see His power at work! Are you a leader calling team? Ask God to show you what He sees when He looks at a person – a willing heart!
Thank you, Lord, that you are a God who sees potential in us. You do not ask for perfection up front. You ask just for a willingness to walk with you, and you grow us as we do, expanding and empowering us for the work you’re calling us into!
Written by Rhiannon Mellor