‘As he went along beside the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and he’s Brother Andrew. They were fishermen, and were casting their nets into the sea. “Follow me!” said Jesus.” I’ll have you fishing for people!” Straight away they left their nets and followed him.’

Mark 1.16-18

When I think about Saints I think of great people. Saint Patrick or Saint Maximilian Kolbe, even those more recent to our lifetime such as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (or Mother Teresa as she is more widely known).  People who gave their life to God. They gave up everything they wanted and followed God, doing his will.

I am sure that God has called me a few times to leave what I am doing and follow him. Not necessarily for ever but perhaps for a few minutes. I am always struck by the disciple’s immediate response to our Lord. They left their lives (nets) ‘straight away’.

Last week I heard someone say that “it is ok to say No to Jesus now and again as he can be very demanding”. Understanding the sentiment behind this statement I do have a question, How do you decide when it is right to say yes or no? Imagine now that Simon and Andrew had decided this was a time to say no! Or Blessed Mother Teresa had decided that no was the correct response when God called her to the slums of Calcutta.

I often use the back up that I need to pray more about it, if God is asking me to do something I don’t want to do. In fact I keep praying until God agrees with me!

Yes, we are busy and have other things that we love like, family and friends and education and television and free time… but God knows this. He knows that we love these things and yet he still asks us. This God that loves us and created us and knows us better than we know ourselves.

So next time I have an idea that God's plan is different from my plan I am not going to simply reject it as nonsense, but take time to see where I might be being challenged to follow his call.

Neil, November 2008