Mending the nets

Matthew 4:18-22

What word of instruction do I hear? One phrase in particular jumped out at me this morning: mending their nets. It's not a glorious task. Not an exciting one. Probably not the one most preferred by fishermen. I mean, it's a lot more exciting to haul in a big one (or a whole NET full of big ones) than it is to simply mend nets. Mending nets is tedious and dull and hard on the fingers. But it is also essential. If you've got a hole in your net, there's not much of a chance that you're gonna haul in anything!

Every job has its tedious tasks. Dusting furniture, changing the oil, filing receipts, sorting the mail.... Such tasks aren't much fun, but they have to be done if you want to succeed at your primary goal.

For what would I like to give thanks? Simon had Andrew. James had John. Zebedee had two sons. I have Cliff. And Jimmy. And Rebecca. And Phyllis. And Stephen and Caitlyn and Ashley. And interns. And alumni. And pastors. And friends. And family. And a whole community of saints who help with the work. They help carry they load. And I could not make it without them.

How am I missing the mark? I am sometimes (perhaps even often) slow to respond when Jesus calls. I see the need. I hear the call. I know what needs to be done. But I drag my feet. I over-think the situation. I look too far ahead. Forgive me, Lord.

How is God present in this text? God is the one who calls. And God is the one who leads. My job is to follow.

Thank you, God, for taking the lead. And for showing me the way.