"Going on from there, he saw two other brokers, James son of Zebedee & his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them & immediately they left the boat & their father & followed him" -Matthew 4:21-22
The message was a great one because it was a possible view from Zebedee, the father... his sons left him behind. Why didnt he go with his sons? Did Jesus not call for him? Did he not want to go because he was stubborn & older & set in his ways? Did he just not care? What left him behind in the boat?
But the word that stuck out to me was IMMEDIATELY... they immediately left everything - no questions asked... I brought that point out to the class - what is it that holds us back? What is it that wont allow us to follow Christ now - from a youth's persective, its sometimes "I can do it later - I'm young - I've got plenty of time" ... "God will ask too much of me, I dont want to give up my partying life now".... "I am in the 'cool click' at school - I cant give that up right now".... nothing stopped these two brothers...
I had a student come up to me after class though & said, "When you were talking about that, all I could envision was you sitting with your knitting saying "Hold on Jesus - I have to finish this row".... Oh snap!
OK - these kids have seen me knit WAY too much I guess... & SNAP again - how many times have I said that? To the youth... to my husband ....to my friends ....but have I have said that to Jesus?... is that possible? I've never thought of it this way....
If you are a knitter - you've said that line "Hold on - I have to finish this row"... they even have bracelets that say that!!! There is nothing worse then being in a middle of a row & loosing your place... or so I thought... that amazing young man who said that to me brought up a great point to me ... sometimes its even more the LITTLE things that hold us back from IMMEDIATELY doing something for Christ - following Him, His ways....
May I have nothing in my life that holds me back from IMMEDIATELY following Christ or His ways!!!!
LOVE this thought.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I was like omg where's Rebecca Jo been?! I thought you had been missing: no blogging, no commenting. Turns out I WASN'T FOLLOWING YOUR BLOG!! Whaaaaat?! All this time?!
Don't you worry your little heart, sister. I got us back on the right track.
<3
I am sure I said that just yesterday cause I cannot put down my work if I am in the middle of a challenging pattern. Sure hope I know enough not to say it if I hear God speaking to me. Would be a very sad day to miss what he had called me for. Very good post and analogy, one we knitters understand all to well.
ReplyDeleteSo very well stated...I second that!
ReplyDeletehaha I love this :-) and I love that you said Oh Snap . . .
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post!! So, so true. It really struck a cord with me about how many times I say "not now" or "hold on". After this post, I will be more aware. I never want to say "hold on" to Jesus!!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Love this post! Like Jennifer mentioned, it made me realize how many times I say 'just a second' or 'as soon as I finish this post' or something when the Princess Nagger wants me to play with her. I better make sure I have my priorities straight! :)
ReplyDeleteWell said, my bloggy friend. : )
ReplyDeleteOuch!
ReplyDeleteWOW, this just goes to show that alot can be learned from our youth, huh?? :)
ReplyDeleteWell - SNAP for me too ... or rather SLAP! See the handprint?!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day...
ReplyDeleteOkay so you posted at 12:00 am ~~ really?!! Girl you need some sleep =)
ReplyDeleteBoy kids sure know how to drive home a lesson don't they?!
Have a Blessed Tuesday,
Dawn
The word that stuck out to me was Zebadee. You just don't hear that name anymore.
ReplyDeleteI know it's not the point of the story, but I can't get over it.
And for me it's "Just one more blog!"
ReplyDeleteOh that actually kinda stings to think about how often we do that!
ReplyDeleteI think you wrote this with me in mind. I am forever saying those exact words. However, from now on I am going to try my best to come when called, not when I am ready. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I still need to learn how to knit!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post and I love how the youth got it. Makes me think about what I'm showing my kids. Good stuff!!
ReplyDeleteYeah - you got called-out. That had to hit hard though. That's something I've tried to work on the past couple of years (when I was working). When interrupted, what is my attitude and do I immediately help? I had to work on that one. I think about Jesus coming back a lot - and my biggest hope is that I'm not in the shower or on the toilet at that moment!
ReplyDeleteYup, I do say that!
ReplyDelete