Mike Shamy is the co-author of The Insider and former International Vice President of The Navigators.

Several black and white photos sit on my bookshelf. They take me back 50 years to a time when Dad and I were active in New Zealand politics. One is of election night 1972. Dad is sitting alongside the newly elected Prime Minister. Another is of Audrey and I (a very young-looking couple) chatting with the Prime Minister and his wife at our wedding. Many more memories of people and events from that era fill my mind. Together they paint a picture of my relational world at the time I became a Christian in early 1972.  

Yet by the end of the year I had lost all these relationships. I had become increasingly busy with ‘Christian activities’ and just didn’t have the time to stay connected. The unique opportunity to make visible the invisible Christ among the people who knew me well was lost.

Looking elsewhere

Of course, it would not have been easy to remain immersed in the political world. I would have needed the support and prayers of mature people alongside me, people willing and able to disciple me right where I was planted. But I can’t remember anyone saying, ‘Stay where you are. We will help you there.’

All over the world I have heard similar stories from people who, on becoming a Christian, became distanced from their family and friends. Perhaps this was your experience as well.

Why do so many feel that they cannot stay right where they are among their family and friends and follow Christ?

Sent out 

Matthew 4:19-20 were among the first verses I memorised. Jesus says to Simon and Andrew: ‘Follow me … and I will send you out to fish for people!’ And at once they left their nets and followed him.

Others, like James, John, Philip, Matthew, Thomas and Bartholomew, also uprooted themselves from their existing relational networks to follow Jesus to new places and people. Jesus still calls people to respond in a similar way, and their willingness to obey is vital to the advance of the gospel and the equipping of God’s people.

In 1979 I did just this. Along with Audrey and a young family, I left my teaching career and stepped out in faith to serve the Lord full-time among students. We received a great deal of encouragement, affirmation and help in our ministry.

But what about my Christian friends who stayed right where they were and followed Jesus? Over the years, some have become discouraged. Others feel that living among their non-believing family, friends and work associates doesn’t amount to much compared to those in full-time ministry.

Sent home

But they only got half the story! Sure, some people left everything to follow Jesus, but what about the rest of his disciples who stayed where they were? People like the woman of Samaria, the man healed at the pool and the centurion in Capernaum.

Mark 5 tells the story of a man living in a Gentile area known as the Decapolis. Possessed by demons, he was a human wreck – isolated, naked and self-destructive. His life was dramatically transformed by his encounter with Jesus. As Jesus went to leave the man begged to go with him. But this time Jesus said, ‘Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you’ (v 19).

Jesus left, but his life and work continued in and through this man who stayed. Mark tells us he obeyed the call and began telling everyone in the area how much Jesus had done for him. And they were amazed.

Look around you

Those disciples who left everything to follow Jesus and those who stayed were both called. One may sound more dramatic than the other, but both are equally vital to the progress of Jesus’ kingdom. Grasping this can bring significance, encouragement and meaning, both to those who go somewhere else to follow Jesus and to those who stay where they are to follow Jesus.

Are you looking for your calling, wondering what God wants you to do? Have you compared yourself to those who are vocational Christian workers and felt second class? Look around you! You are uniquely planted right where you are, called to love, do good works and share your faith for ‘the display of his splendour’ (Isaiah 61:3).