Week 9/10

Theme: Calling

Who do I let myself be inspired by? Who fascinates me, provides some orientation in my life? Jesus is called Lord and Christ, the Messiah, the true king.

What I may wish to ask:

That I may find what I am looking for. The person who can give my life meaning, the God of Love, that I can respond to His invitation: to His call.

Music: Take o take me as I am  Elise Mannah

Take o take me as I am

Summon out what I shall be

Set your seal upon my heart

And live in me

Neem mij aan zoals ik ben

Wek in mij wie ik zal zijn

Druk uw zegel op mijn hart

En leef in mij

Spotify link:

https://open.spotify.com/track/2pYf6g23zKZpCkBNaIYPgq?si=ea380227ef65400d

YouTube link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdwX3Gg-D-c

I contemplate the proposition that my Messiah wants to be present here for me in this time of Advent and that I am able to be here, joyfully, in the presence of our loving God.

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Luke 5, 1-11 Jesus calls his first disciples

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding round him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

Imagine this scene …. a large lake with fishing boats, a crowd of people and Jesus. Jesus looks for the tranquility of a boat on the water in order to speak to the people.

Is it also possible for me to organize my life so that I can direct my attention to listening to Jesus and understand what He wants to tell me?

·

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’

Because you say so, I shall do it…. Complete submission emanating from devotion. Maybe coming more from feelings than from reason, but with great awareness a choice is made to follow someone with ideals. All based on great trust and faith.

Do I recognize this in my life, or is it maybe something I long for?

·

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’ For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

A turn for the better. Not expected and yet given.

With Jesus as mediator.

Can I remember moments in my own life when I received something good totally unexpectedly, out of the blue? Or maybe not just out of the blue…..

·

Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.’ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Not to be afraid to strive for ideals, to follow your heart,

to obey your calling.

Making choices can sometimes hurt,

but can also give a deep sense of inner joy.

Are there people in my life who, just as Jesus does, call me and others to follow what is good?

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Music: Take o take me as I am.