A new job involves heart-searching, big decisions, lots of research and endless application forms, hopefully resulting in an interview that will conclude with a job offer. What do you want to get out of a job, and what appeals to you? What are you good at? Do you have any experience? Endless questions, but necessary and important questions to ascertain what skills you can offer and what in particular you can bring to a role.

And then there’s Jesus’ approach to building his team of twelve apprentices. So simple, so straightforward, so direct. Four fishermen witnessed Jesus’ power and authority in the amazing provision of fish after a fruitless night’s work for all of them. Read about it in Luke 5:1–11.

Jesus’ significant remark, ‘From now on you’ll be fishing for people’ produced an immediate response. Luke records that, ‘… they left everything and followed Jesus.’ Just like that. Wow! They were offered a life-changing, amazing opportunity and they accepted the offer. No deliberating. No hesitation. At once.

In that moment they risked everything for Jesus. They left their home and family (a huge wrench). They sacrificed their comfort and their security. They embraced a total change of lifestyle. Just like that.

So what about you and your family? What is your attitude to following Jesus? It is that total? Is it as uncompromising? Does your family really take following Jesus as seriously as those first disciples, or do you pick and choose when and where to be his followers?

Your children are in a really tough situation at school. Being a follower of Jesus is hard, especially amongst peer groups. Pray for them. Encourage them. Share with each other the situations you are in during the week, whether it’s at home, at work, or in the school playground. Be aware of what you are all coping with.

Remember that it wasn’t easy for Jesus’ first followers, but remember too that God is with you and will be your anchor, to keep you  firm and strong and you can run to him for safety. He will never let you down!