And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.”

Mark 1:17

I have been thinking about the order of the above verse from Mark’s gospel. Jesus calls each individual to “follow”. And those who are “followers” He gives a “job”. The order is important!

I have been thinking about vocations in general and my particular vocation in the last two months. I need to be aware that my first “vocation” is to follow Jesus. That is my calling above and beyond anything. I desire Jesus alone! How that calling works itself out in my life – my particular vocation – is a different question (which is no less important to ponder).

I think my particular vocation has changed a couple of times in my life. I think all those vocations were real and given to me by God. Yet the one central vocation remains – “Follow me”. God uses my context, especially my new context, to show me how I am to live my “desire for Jesus alone”.

I find that distinction very helpful. My particular calling changes with context and age. But the main call Jesus makes on my life is always the same – “Follow me”.