Day 1 - The Little Brother

Little brothers...I have one. He is turning 19 in a little less than two months. I can't believe how time has flown by and how much he has grown. I still think of him as "little" which I'm sure he does not enjoy, but that's what big sisters do! My brother got the extraordinary privilege of living in my shadow...I'm sure that is how he would put it :) He got all of my teachers two years later and was introduced as Elisabeth's brother in youth group. Little brother, for this I am sorry. You are far more than a little brother. You are a man of God who has grown up to be a gentleman and a light in your community and friend circle. I love watching God work through you and provide you with such incredible opportunities. You are about to graduate high school and head off to an incredible university where you will be presented with obstacles and struggles, but I pray that you find rest in your heavenly Father and persevere through every day. As I begin this study, I find myself thinking and praying for you.


Matthew 4:18-22

This is where Beth Moore begins this study of John. We start at his calling. These four simple verses call four simple fishermen to follow Jesus Christ the Messiah and be his disciples. Beth points out the history and reasoning for the order in which the names of the disciples are written. You see, John was a little brother. James and John were brothers and fishermen who were called together to follow Jesus. These brothers respond with obedience and no hesitation. I can imagine that James and John were doing what they have done every day for their entire lives - fishing. They were probably taught at a very young age by their father and knew as soon as they woke up what their day had in store, more fishing. But this day was different. How cool is it that Jesus calls to us when we least except it! I can remember the day Jesus called me. I was very young but I knew everything was different that day. I was no longer a slave to sin but free!

John's obedience is convicting. How many excuses would I have made? My schedule is too busy or I don't know what would happen tomorrow. My time and attention are so often put on other things that I don't obey the Lord completely and without hesitation as John did. I am so happy to say that like James and John, my brother and I have answered the call to follow Jesus Christ. My prayer is that I would obey my heavenly Father without hesitation and that I would be reminded of the day when everything changed and I met Jesus.