Sooner or later, everyone deals with the issue of identity and purpose in life. Who am I? What do I live for? Some face these questions head on early in life, others avoid them at all cost, yet, no one can escape them.

There are different ways of defining ourselves and various ways to explain the purpose of our existence. For example: some define themselves in terms of their vocation or profession, others use their title; their role in life, status in society or even by the degrees they have earned.

Remember the last time you were with relatives or friends who have children? You probably asked the familiar question: Well Timmy and Nathalie, what are you going to be when you grow up? Then you proceed to compare their answers to that of your last encounter. Even a simple question like this already sets up the children to enter the constant search for identity and purpose in life. There is nothing wrong with searching unless it is many times discouraged by pressures and expectations others have of us.

I am sure Jesus had the same problem, yet as we read in the gospel narrative he managed to stay focused in his identity and purpose. Jesus reveals his identity and purpose in terms of relationship and mission. According to the gospel narrative, Jesus is the Son of God, with an intimate relationship with God, the Father. As we read in the account of His baptism in the river Jordan, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and remained on him, and a voice was heard coming from heaven saying: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Throughout his ministry Jesus found his strength emanating from this intimate connection with his Father, as he developed the habit of being in constant prayer and meditation even in the midst of a busy schedule. This relationship can be seen all the way to the time of the crucifixion when Jesus addresses his Father during his last minutes on earth. At last he said: "Father, into your hands I commend my Spirit." So Christ defines himself in no uncertain terms as the Son of God.

He also states his purpose for being here on earth in the Gospel lesson for today. I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God...I was sent for this purpose.

It is no surprise then, that out of this sense of identity and purpose Jesus moves forward in giving identity and purpose to others. So, he begins by calling his first disciples. The account for this selection of disciples includes Peter, Andrew, James and John. Here are four Galilean fisherman who apparently traded everything for nothing, yet they came away as winners.

The account ends by saying, "And when they had brought their boat to land, they left everything and followed him." What is it they left behind? What did they get in return? And did they get their money's worth, so to speak?

What they left behind...

It is common in our sophisticated economic arena to downgrade occupations that seem or are unfamiliar to us. For example: There is a carol written for the Christmas season which refers to shepherds. You might recall the First Noel. It goes, "The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay." I remember my pastor countering this common assumption. Can anyone be sure that these shepherds were poor? If they owned their herds they may have been pretty substantial, respected individuals in their area. We have a similar impression of the fishermen that our text refers to.

These fishermen worked on the Lake of Gennesaret or Sea of Galilee, where it is believed that most people who fished those waters either cast lines from the shore or hired out people as crew in privately owned vessels. But according to our text Simon Peter and his brother apparently owned their own boat. And the other boat belonged to James and John or to their father Zebedee. We read that they had nets, fancy equipment for their area. They maybe leased or owned the docks and had tools to fix and stretch nets. They also may have owned their own transportation system to take the fish to the market.

Then, too, these fishermen had a partnership going. One may then conclude that, as entrepreneurs in the fishing industry in Galilee, they had a good thing going. Yet, they left it all behind.

Now, before you leave all your assets on the beach you ought to have a good idea what the deal you are getting into is all about. Somehow we tend to imagine that Jesus just showed up by the lake, borrowed a boat to use as a pulpit, put a miracle together, shared his message and showed a word of appreciation to the owners, and they were so impressed they left everything immediately and followed him.

The more realistic view is that these four men had known Jesus for some time. They were all from Galilee. They grew up there and knew Jesus. They had listened to his message before and had taken the time to evaluate the cost involved in being a follower of this wonderful teacher and miracle­maker. At least they were some how aware of the cause, the purpose of Christ's ministry.

Jesus possibly felt they were ready to be challenged. They had time to think it over. So, Christ invited them with the words: "Follow me and I will make you fishers of people." And right before the eyes of one another and maybe even crowds, they left behind the fruit of years of labor. But for what? They traded their economic security for personal gain. They chose a relationship with Jesus for their identity and embraced the mission and the purpose Christ set for himself and for them. Was it worth it? Did they get their money's worth?

They said yes to a great and priceless opportunity to use their time and their skills in the cause of Jesus Christ.

No fishermen went back to their trade after following Jesus, even after the horror of the crucifixion. When they were thinking of going back to their routine life, Christ's resurrection boosted their initial commitment to the cause. No regrets, only the mission­-driven cause was their joy.

Ever since then, Christ's disciples have found out that life with Him is a life with purpose, a purpose that springs out from our relationship with Him based on our baptism.

The prophet Jeremiah said it so well in reference to God's promise for us today: Jeremiah 29:11 - "I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans for good, and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Next time you ask children what they will do when they grow up, listen to them, assist them to expand their horizons, to dream big because we have a great God. And do your part to introduce them to the person of Jesus Christ. With Christ at the center of their lives, no matter what they choose as vocation or occupation, they will have a strong identity as children of God and will also have a meaning and purpose in life.

Jesus invites you to follow him and define your own life in relationship to God. You are a child of God and no one can change that. You can change your name given at birth but the name God has given you will stand forever. Amen.