Listen

As Jesus walked alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, because they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” Right away, they left their nets and followed him. Continuing on, he saw another set of brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father repairing their nets. Jesus called them and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Matthew 4:18-22

Think

Have you ever noticed on a summer day, as soon as you turn on the outside porch light, that within seconds swarms of bugs start circling it? Turns out, there are a few reasons why bugs swarm towards the light – because of the heat it is putting off, because the light can confuse predators, because some bugs are confused thinking it’s the moon, which often guides them at night… and sometimes, it’s because they see other bugs all huddled together and think, “party time!”

Jesus becomes the light at night for the fisherman to see what their true purpose was. Notice they leave their nets immediately and follow him. They can’t help but follow. For us, the thing that brings us to the light is purpose. When we see the purpose God has for us, we can’t help but follow. Money, success, being famous, going viral – these things try to attract us but we wind up in the zapper.

Jesus’s light, the light of purpose, is light that bring us joy and an abundant bright life.

Jeremy Wilhelmi

Pray

God of Light, guide me always toward your light.

Guide me in such a way that once I see it, I can’t resist heading towards it.

Use your light to help me see my purpose.

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.