Matthew 4:18-19 (NIV) “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
What makes us fear to step up as leaders? Do we think we have too much sin? Or do we question if we are good or qualified enough? Are we are too busy? Or is leading an SFC just way too much responsibility?
Jesus didn’t pick the leaders, the scholars, or the equipped to be his disciples. Jesus picked fisherman to follow him as disciples; they were simple trade workers and most likely uneducated. The two fishermen didn’t come up with excuses that they don’t have time or that it’s too much responsibility. They didn’t even put in a two week notice or consult with their family. It says in The Message version, “They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They simply dropped their nets and followed.
I trust He can use you too no matter what walk you are in life.
Yes, it might be irresponsible for us to quit our jobs to start leading an SFC, but if the disciple can drop everything, can’t we change our priorities to start leading? Jesus doesn’t use the qualified; He uses the called. If Jesus picked fishermen, tax collectors, and sinners as His followers, certainly we too as snowboarders and skiers can lead. If our heart and passion is to see a local SFC start at our local mountain, we can’t sit around any longer. It’s time to quit being passive and wait for someone else to do it. Step into what you are called to do.
I’ll be honest, I always thought I was too shy, quiet, introverted. I didn’t think I was good enough, and I messed up too much to ever step up into a leadership role. I was worried my reputation would be lost as a sponsored snowboarder. Even though I was scared, I stood up for what I believed and knew God could use my testimony to lead people to Christ. I’m so honored that Randy, who led SFC Denver at the time, kept encouraging me to be a leader. Despite my worries, God used me more than I could have ever imagined. During those time of leading SFC Denver, He was working on my heart and equipped me along the way. I started to feel a sense of purpose and meaning in my life. I trust He can use you too no matter what walk you are in life.
Challenge
How are you fishing for shredders?
If you are already an SFC leader, how are you encouraging and discipling your community of shredders? Are you doing it all alone or are you spreading the workload?
If you’re not a SFC leader, do you see the need in your community? What’s holding you back? Have you shared your heart with your SFC regional director and local church?
By Taylor Brant | Denver, Colorado