Follow Me: Discovering Your Unique Kingdom Calling

Have you ever had a moment when something you've read or heard countless times suddenly takes on a completely new meaning? That's what happened when I revisited the familiar story of Jesus calling his first disciples in the Gospel of Mark.

For years, I understood Jesus' words "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" as a universal call to evangelism. But what if there's more to this invitation than we've traditionally understood?

Seeing Scripture Through Fresh Eyes

Sometimes our perspectives become so fixed that we develop a kind of blindness. We're so certain of our interpretation that we miss things that might be obvious if we could see differently. This is what happened to me while reading Mark's gospel.

I was seeking something simple—spiritual meat and potatoes—when I encountered Jesus' familiar words to those fishermen on the beach. But this time, something different came into focus.

What Did Jesus Really Mean by "Fishers of Men"?

Jesus said to those men on the beach, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" (Mark 1:17). The emphasis I'd always heard was on the "fishers of men" part—the universal call to evangelism that applies to all believers.

But this time, I noticed something I'd overlooked: Jesus was speaking to actual fishermen. These weren't random people; fishing was their occupation, their discipline, their livelihood. It was what their fathers had trained them for.

A Personalized Invitation Rather Than a Universal Formula

What if Jesus wasn't using a convenient metaphor that we should all apply to ourselves? What if he was speaking their language, using terminology that would resonate specifically with them?

Perhaps Jesus was saying: "Follow me, and instead of fishing for your own satisfaction and making ends meet, I will make it so that you are fishing for the kingdom. It's not food that matters now, it's people."

What Would Jesus Have Said to Others?

This perspective shift raises an intriguing question: What if the people standing on that beach had been architects, accountants, nurses, teachers, or writers? Would Jesus have used the same invitation?

I wonder if Jesus might have offered unique invitations to each person based on their gifts and calling:

• "Follow me, and I will make you an architect for the kingdom. Let's build things that bless people."
• "Follow me, and I'll make you an accountant who brings the kingdom into people's lives through fairness and reconciliation."
• "Follow me, and I'll make you a writer for the kingdom, painting pictures with words that capture hearts and reveal truth."

Why This Matters for Christians Today

Many of us grew up in communities where evangelism was presented as the highest calling. Those who devoted their lives to full-time ministry were seen as having truly given up everything to follow Jesus. The rest of us were encouraged to wedge evangelistic activities into our lives whenever possible, regardless of our gifts, skills, or personalities.

But what if Jesus' invitation wasn't about changing into something we're not? What if it was about stepping into the fullness of who we already are?

Using Your Unique Gifts for the Kingdom

Perhaps Jesus' invitation is simply this: Stop what you're doing for your own gain and benefit. Follow me, and I'll help you use your gifts and abilities to bless the world. I'll help you put others first so you can be part of bringing my kingdom to life.

This aligns with Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically as something done for the Lord and not for men."

God knows who you are. God knows your gifts and abilities. God knows what is good for your soul. Maybe God isn't asking you to become like somebody else or fit some predetermined image of what it means to be a "fisher of men." Instead, perhaps God is asking you to stop working for yourself and start working for the kingdom.

Life Application

What if Jesus is saying to you today: "Follow me and become a designer, accountant, writer, bricklayer, or CEO for the Kingdom, using your unique gifts and skills to reach people"?

This week, consider these questions:

• What are the unique gifts, skills, and passions God has given you?
• How might Jesus be calling you to use these specific attributes for His kingdom?
• In what ways have you been trying to fit into someone else's calling rather than embracing your own?
• What would it look like for you to do your current work "for the Lord and not for men"?

The invitation to follow Jesus isn't about abandoning who you are. It's about redirecting who you are toward kingdom purposes. It's not about becoming someone else—it's about becoming fully who God created you to be, with your unique gifts now serving a greater purpose.

This week, listen for Jesus' personalized invitation to you. How is He calling you to follow Him in a way that honors your unique design while advancing His kingdom?