Hope Weekly
August 6, 2012

Change is difficult. Mention to any human being that “change” is in order, and uneasiness sets in. Old habits are difficult to break. Our days are filled with routines and procedures. Many of these procedures and tasks are completed almost unconsciously without us even knowing what we are even doing.

As I was thinking about the routines that I complete each day, my procedures for showering, shaving, and brushing my teeth follow the same mundane “unconscious” flow each day. I am guessing that if you are like me, that your morning routine involves similar procedures. Here’s a challenge…completely change up your morning routine. Whatever “your” routine looks like, mix it up. Good luck with this! Don’t be calling me if you can’t find your car keys or realize that half way to work you forgot to even shave.

Change is difficult.

Imagine for one moment, you and your brother are young Jewish fishermen. Both are going through your daily routine of getting ready to catch some fish. I know very little about fishing but I am guessing that it consists of some routines and procedures such as; making sure the boat is seaworthy, the nets are strong and free of clutter, and making sure there are enough peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to last for an entire day (I told you I know very little about fishing).

Fishing. It is what both of you have always done. It is all you know.

This day will be different.

As you are fishing, casting your nets, maybe you exchange small talk. Nothing out of the usual. Another day at the office, I mean…on the sea. Cast out nets. Catch some fish. Repeat if necessary.

Then He appears. And when He shows up, things happen. Change occurs. I will let you read it for yourself (Matthew 4:18-20).

18 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. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

Talk about change! Holy cow! Fishing for fish, in the sea, is all that these guys know. Now He is asking them to go “fish” for, people. Huh?

Thankfully the two brothers followed. They chose to follow. They chose to leave what is great, fishing, for something eternal, sharing the Gospel with the world. They chose Change. When they abandoned their nets they abandoned “normal”. Their lives were never the same.

He is asking me to do the same and you. Abandon our nets and what is “normal. “Come, follow me.”

CHANGE.

For these two Jewish males it was a change of profession. For me it was a change of location, attitude, passion, etc. For you, that is something only you can answer. But one thing is for certain, a Change is necessary. But, oh it will be so worth it!

Pastor Brian