It is reputed that Steve Jobs when building the team that would go on to establish Apple, persuaded John Scully who was then working with Coca Cola to join the Apple team with the “killer” question…
“Do you want to sell sugar water for the rest of your life or come with me and change the world”?
What a question. History now records that Scully did indeed join Jobs in creating the Apple brand that has gone onto dominate global technology.
Mark’s account of Christ calling His first disciples (Mark Chapter 1 v 14 to 20) sees Jesus call by name Simon, Andrew, then James and John. Fishermen by profession they are called to a new life and a new way when Christ simply says “Come with me.”
“Come with me”. Three words. Few other instructions other than the promise that their lives will never be the same again.
No road map, no seeming provisions, not a business plan or SWOT analysis in sight. A promise maybe of a journey and above all a relationship to follow and learn from a new Rabbi fresh on the Jewish teaching scene.
And, like Jobs’ question to Scully, Christ’s short invitation was to be life changing.
Much could be written as to how one hears and understands today, Christ’s invitation to “Come follow me”. Maybe the words of “The Summons”, the hymn by Maule and Bell best reflects the journey, questions, emotions and reality of Christian vocation which applies to all baptised in His name…
The Summons
John L. Bell & Graham Maule
Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?
Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?
Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?
Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In Your company I’ll go where Your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
For the week ahead, grab a few minutes with yourself.
Pray through “The Summons” and in light of a world beset by pandemic and challenge what does it mean for you to…
“Come follow me” and as Jobs challenged Scully to “change the world”?
Take the plunge.
Wee Pilgrim 