The Unexpected Journey

The Unexpected Journey

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” Matthew 9:9-13

My senior year of college, I had a sudden unanticipated change of career direction. After four years of training as a violinist, educator, and musician, an unexpected twist emerged in my plot and plan for the future. Looking through a used book sale at the Library, I found a treasure, a book printed in 1890 titled, “The Making of a Minister” by Dean Brown from Yale Divinity School. This book changed the trajectory of my vocational plans. An unexpected journey emerged and through much soul searching and conversations with my pastor, I began to discern a call to pastoral ministry. Painfully, I had to let go of what I had planned for many years, to begin anew.

In Matthew’s Gospel, 9:9-13 tells of his unexpected journey from Tax Collector to Apostle of Christ. It is a beautiful picture of Christ’s untold mercy in choosing the most unlikely candidate for future leadership. Matthew’s unexpected journey resulted in his leaving a steady paycheck to embrace a life of living by faith and following Christ.

Like Matthew, our journey may include the unexpected. We may have trained for years in sports, ballet, Jazz, or completed classes or even earned degrees, only to end up on an entirely different path altogether. As we discover God’s unanticipated passages, we are invited to embark on a new journey with Christ. It might include letting go of what we had in mind, and choosing to be on journey with Christ.

Matthew’s unexpected journey reminds us that God knows us better than we know ourselves. As Master Designer, he knows what we were designed for. We are each uniquely created to follow Christ and to glorify him regardless of what we do for a living. For some of us, an unexpected journey awaits and will require making some adjustments and unforeseen changes. But don’t be afraid to take the journey, because in it, you may discover your true vocation and the desire of your heart.

What unforeseen journey or plot twist has happened in your life? Have you trusted in God as your Master Designer who knows your calling and what you are made for? What adjustments do you need to make to follow Jesus Christ? What do you need to let go of and what do you need to embrace as you navigate a life’s plot twist?

Prayer

Father, I thank you for the unexpected journey. Thank you for revealing to me your invitation to discipleship and trusting you with the unforeseen. I choose to yield to your unprecedented moves, twists, and changes. I trust that you are leading and guiding me on a path towards renewal, purpose, and fulfillment. I trust in you and your plans for me, because I know that you love me and know me. You have a wonderful plan for my life that will glorify you with all that I have and am. I am signing up for your plot twist and plan for my future. I believe that it will be abundantly, exceedingly better than what I have asked or hoped for.

In Jesus Name,

Amen