A Master's Call: My Purpose on This Journey
There's a Chinese proverb that has always challenged me to think about my own life and faith. It's not a short, simple saying, but one that contains a profound truth: 师父领进门，修行在个人 (shī fù lǐng jìn mén, xiū xíng zài gè rén).
It means, "The master leads you through the door, but the cultivation is up to the individual."
When I read Matthew 4:19, I see this exact principle in action. Jesus sees Simon and Andrew and gives them the most simple, yet life-altering command: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Jesus, the Master, didn't just tell them what to do. He didn't demand they change everything on their own. Instead, He was the one who led them through the door. The act of "following me" was the invitation into a new life. It was the first, necessary step that He provided.
But then came the second part of the proverb, the "cultivation." Jesus promised to make them "fishers of men." This wasn't a magic trick. This was a promise to guide them through a deep, personal process of transformation. Their old identity was being replaced with a new one, their old skills adapted for a new purpose. The long, daily work of learning, failing, and growing was now theirs to do, with Him as their guide.
My own journey of faith feels like this. Jesus leads me through the door of forgiveness and grace, but the daily "cultivation" is my responsibility. It's the moment-by-moment work of choosing love, showing patience, and finding my purpose in serving others. The Master has already opened the door. The journey of cultivation is now mine to walk, and I'm grateful for every step.
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