Pause

Where God is, there is light.

Jesus came, bringing light into a dark world. Though there is still darkness, Jesus still comes, calling us to join him on the journey and giving us what we need – strength, courage, ability – to shed his light.

The promised one, the light of the world, welcomes us to follow him on the Kingdom way, the way of light. Let us turn our hearts toward him, and begin.

Listen

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea — for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Matthew 4:18-20

Think

Jesus didn’t walk around Galilee silently, waiting for passersby to notice the light in his eyes and just up and decide to follow him. He went looking for followers, proclaiming the coming of God’s kingdom, and summoning people to join it.

He didn’t expect people to just leave their work behind and come to find him. He went to the place where they were at work and invited them to follow, giving them a new vocation right away, and showing them how the jobs they already do can be transformed into Kingdom work.

Following Jesus on the Kingdom way does not have to be a mystery or a maze. He finds us at our daily work – at our fishing nets, and at our desks, at our practices, in our groups – and calls us to follow. He offers us a new job that makes the most of our skills and passions, turning our most ordinary selves into extraordinary disciples. He makes us fishers, students, teammates, friends for all people.

Nikki Finkelstein-Blair

Pray

Seeking God, I know you find me and call me; teach me to use my ordinary skills to follow you in extraordinary ways. Amen.

Go

In every time, in every place, light breaks through the darkness. We don’t have to go far; God comes near and calls us, wherever we are, to follow.

So here, and now: let God’s light shine.