Listen

Now when Jesus heard that John was arrested, he went to Galilee. He left Nazareth and settled in Capernaum, which lies alongside the sea in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali. This fulfilled what Isaiah the prophet said:

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, alongside the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who lived in the dark have seen a great light, and a light has come upon those who lived in the region and in shadow of death.

Matthew 4:12-16

Think

Have you ever had to move? Move houses? Move towns? Move states? Move countries? Moving always takes time before life feels like home in the new place. Get this – in the last 15 years, I’ve moved 8 times! Not always to a new town, but always to a new house. After moving so much, I’ve learned that “home” may not be a house or a town, but the people you do life with. For me, that’s been my family. No matter where we move, what didn’t change was the people I was surrounded by, who I lived with. They are my home.

Today we read that Jesus had to move and through his life, he had to move often. Sometimes it was good, other times he didn’t feel as welcomed. But when he moved, he always had his close circle of friends near him. I’m glad to know that Jesus understands what it feels like to have to move.

Jeremy Wilhelmi

Pray

God, when it’s time to move to a new place, a new home, a new job, a new school, help me feel your compassion as I adjust to new surroundings and new ways of being.

Help me lean on those close to me no matter where I may move.

Amen.

Go

God places within each of us the light of life and love.

May that light warm you with God’s presence when you are alone.

May that light guide you when you can’t see the way.

May that light encourage you to shine brightly so that others might see the light God has placed within them.