"Don't be afraid; from now you will catch men." Luke 5:10

There was a time when a person could choose a career and settle down secure for the rest of his or her working life. The fear of being uprooted seemed groundless.

How far this is from reality for most folks today! Even farmers, so traditionally stable, feel anxiety about losing their farms. Organized labor can be insecure. The fear of not being able to work is a reality to many. Does it cause you fear? Do potential life changes stir up in you fears about the future?

One wonders what fears the disciples experienced when Jesus called them from the security of good jobs as fishermen to a mid-life career change of catching men, a job they knew nothing about. But the one who called them calmed them. "Follow me," He said. In the command was the promise of His presence.

Is it really any different for us? Hasn't Jesus promised that He would be with us "to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20)? Surely, we can trust His presence in our labors, in our changes in labor, and in our moves from one place to another. The one who loved us enough to die for us is going to be present in any life change. And that's enough.

PRAYER: Blessed Jesus, thank You for being present in all the changes of life and in my work as well. Amen.

PRAYER: (Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 123-125    2 Thessalonians 3

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