And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. - Mark 1:17-18, NIV
A few years ago, Pam and I went to Beaufort, South Carolina, for the weekend. One day we decided to take a walking tour of the city. Our guide was a former actor who had settled there. As we walked through the town, we would ask questions about what we were seeing. Our guide always answered our questions with this phrase: "Wait, for all shall be revealed." After he said it a number of times, we realized this was part of the way he told his story. Sometimes good storytellers have favorite words or phrases that help move the story along.
When it comes to Mark's gospel, one of his favorite words is "immediately." Throughout his telling of the story of the life of Jesus, so many things happen "immediately" in response to something Jesus said or did.
I wonder how often we feel compelled to do or say something immediately because of our relationship with God. Sometimes we can get so use to the Biblical commands to "wait" and "be patient" that we may get lulled into missing the times when God says to us "now" or "immediately." What is going on around you right now through which God is calling you to do something right now? What is keeping you from doing that?
In the words above from Mark's gospel, all Jesus had to say to those fishermen was, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of people." And immediately they left all they had and followed him. What is God asking you to do immediately? Whatever it is, I hope you will do it - right now! Maybe this is one of the ways God is teaching you to "fish for people" -- so they can find a life-transforming relationship with Jesus.
Prayer for Today
Loving God, sometimes you tell us to wait. Sometimes you tell us to do something immediately. Help us to hear your voice, to discern what you are saying to us, and to do what you ask. We know that when we do what you ask - it will make a difference in our world and in our lives. We pray this in the strong name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
