As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.”
Matthew 4:18 NIV
Sometimes, God’s call and direction comes when I’m seeking after it. I’m looking for clarity. I’m fasting and praying. In the midst of praying, I sense God saying clearly which direction I should move in.
Sometimes that is how God works.
More often, God interrupts the everyday busyness of my life and prods and prompts me.
When Jesus issued His call to “fish for people,” Andrew, Peter, James, and John weren’t sitting at Jesus feet asking for or waiting for an assignment. They were fishing. For Andrew and Peter, they were literally in the middle of casting their net into the lake. Were they doing this from the shore, or were they some distance from the shore, and Jesus called them in?
James and John were still in their family fishing boat, preparing their nets. Were they near the shore, either getting ready to go out or coming back in?
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,”
Matthew 4:21 NIV
Jesus came when they weren’t asking, interrupted their routine, and said, “I have a different plan.”
Their hearts were prepared to immediately respond in faith and obedience. They quit fishing, dropped their nets, left their boats, and followed.
Am I open and available for God’s interruptions? Am I living with anticipation and expectancy, prepared to respond in faith and obedience? Am I open to having my plans upended? Am I willing to lay things down so I can pick up the opportunities and responsibilities God sets before me?
God is at work all around me. He is inviting me to join Him in His work. When I open my eyes, what do I see? When I open my ears, what do I hear? When I open my heart, what do I feel? When I open my hands, what do I receive?
The Call to “Follow Me” is the invitation to an Interrupted Life.
This blogpost originally appeared at: Inviting Interruptions – the Journey of a Disciple – Sonlife and is based upon Sonlife’s study, Knowing Him / A 50 Day Study in the Life of Christ / Day 19. Knowing Him has companion videos with our global leaders shot on location in Israel. Click here to watch the video that accompanies this blogpost.