As Jesus was going down the road, he saw Matthew sitting at his tax-collection booth. “Come, be my disciple.” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9, NLT
I remember the day I heard it. The voice was so clear I turned to see who was speaking. But I saw no one. Yet clearly I heard these words as I walked to my office to begin my day: “Jeaninne, it’s time go.”
But why? Why would God tell me to leave a job I did so well? Although it had taken me a while to get there, I was finally at a place in my career where my skills, talents and abilities lined up with the job I was doing. And my fast progress up the career ladder confirmed I was where I was supposed to be.
The job of a tax-collector required the skill of record-keeping, the ability to observe and the ability to pay attention to detail. Matthew was a tax-collector and was very good at his job because he had each of these skills. Yet when Jesus walked up to his table and asked him to leave his job and become his disciple, Matthew immediately got up and followed him.
Maybe you’re wondering what will happen to the skills and abilities you’ve acquired in your existing career if you decide to leave it behind to pursue a career as a professional writer. Remember this: If God can take the prior skills of a tax-collector and use them to as his disciple and to write a portion of the greatest story ever told, he can take your prior skills and use them to write for his kingdom. All you have to do is answer the call to follow Him.
Sharing the journey,
Jeaninne
Writer’s prayer: Lord, if you’re calling me to write for your kingdom, help me to have the courage to get up and follow you. Amen.