Easily Found

They were where they were supposed to be, and they were doing what they were supposed to be doing. In other words, they were easily found.

Do you desire to be used by God? Is there a longing in your heart to be called by Him into a task worthy of your life’s devotion? If so, those are healthy desires, but it can be easy to allow them to distract you from where you are supposed to be right now and from what you are supposed to be doing right now.

God has called countless of His people into very specific tasks, and He has done so in numerous personal and meaningful ways. But there is a noteworthy aspect of the personal call that Jesus made to His first disciples as He began His ministry. Consider the following from Matthew 4:21-22 as Jesus calls James and John:

“Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”

There is so much richness packed into that short passage, but consider it against the backdrop of our theme this week. What were James and John doing to instigate this mighty calling? How were they working and positioning themselves to receive such a prestigious appointment? What was their strategy?

They were in their boat.

They were preparing their nets.

On one hand, you could conclude they weren’t really doing anything of note. They were just doing what they had always done and were simply going about the menial task of participating in the work that sustained their family. But in a very real way, this simple diligence, patience, and consistency should be instructive to us:

They were where they were supposed to be and doing what they were supposed to be doing!

Of course Jesus could have—and perhaps would have—found them anywhere. But He didn’t ask and require that they be frantically “bettering themselves” for His call. In fact, when it came time for Jesus to call His disciples, He took a walk where He expected to find them . . . on their boat, routinely preparing their nets.

He found them where they were supposed to be and doing what they were supposed to be doing.

(Side note for a future contemplation: What incredible faith and obedience James and John displayed to drop everything and follow immediately!)

The question for you this week is this: Are you where you are supposed to be, and doing what you are supposed to be doing?

The task at hand might feel small. It might even feel somewhat pointless in light of eternity. The truth is your current task may have more eternal value than you can fathom. In addition, it may also be precisely where Jesus expects to find you when it is time to call you to the next mission. 

When He comes calling, will He find you? When He does, will you immediately drop the nets you are faithfully preparing and follow Him?

The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.