Listen

As Jesus passed alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” Right away, they left their nets and followed him.

Mark 1:16-18

Think

About five years into youth pastoring, I came down with the flu two weeks before Youth Sunday. In those weeks, we had three rehearsals scheduled, with five adult leaders preparing about sixty youth for three different services, and I was directing all of these groups. Honestly, I panicked a little, and I began frantically trying to figure out where I could buy a hazmat suit so I could still go to rehearsals, until my Youth Committee chair said, “Jessica, this is why we have a team. Assign us tasks. Trust that we will make it happen.” Spoiler alert: they absolutely did.

I know we’ve groaned when a teacher announced a group project, but I think Jesus knew the deep value of a team. Jesus chose to recruit twelve disciples to share in his work of ministry together, because this is not solitary work. Even now, God’s call on my life is interwoven with God’s call on yours, so that we support each other as we practice sharing God’s love with all people.

Jessica Tidwell-Weinzierl

Pray

God of all people, we are created for community. Help me to remember I am never alone, because you are with me always. Thank you for all your children who also walk with me in this journey of faith. Amen.

Go

You are a child of God, deeply beloved, and you have great purpose in God’s kingdom. Go, and do what is yours to do, in the love of Christ, our Redeemer! Amen.