Day 2, St. Andrews Day

I have a deep love for my family's ancestral home of Scotland.  Today is a day celebrated with enthusiasm in this beloved land.  St. Andrews Day is the Scottish equivalent to St. Patrick's Day in Ireland.  The Scottish culture, foods, and traditions are celebrated, but most importantly it is a remembrance of St. Andrew.

In our Advent study, Andrew plays a important roll.  Consider the following scripture.

Matthew 4:18-22  (NASB)

¹⁸ And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
¹⁹ And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
²⁰ And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
²¹ And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
²² And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

I love this passage.  Mostly I love verse 20.  "And they straightway left their nets, and followed him."  Yesterday in our study, Jesus encouraged us all to not let worldly attachments and situations hinder us from considering his second coming.  In today's study we see this concept lived out.  Peter and Andrew didn't hesitate.  They "straightway" followed him.  Straightway means immediately.   

That begs the question, "Is there anything that is hindering you from following Jesus?" 

As you meditate on these verses, I pray that you will consider this question and perhaps use this prayer.  

"Jesus, show me what I need to leave behind in order to be a good disciple.  Do not let me fall far behind you and lose sight of you.  Keep me close.  Thank you for these times of prayer."   (From the "Sacred Space" book I mentioned yesterday.) 

I must confess something to you.  Even as I'm typing out this post, dirty clothes and dishes are calling out to me from downstairs.  The duties of my home are distracting me from this study.  It takes effort to move past the distractions.  I pray that God will help me look past the distractions until I have given this study the time HE deserves.  Only then it will be appropriate for me to take care of my worldly obligations.

During this busy time of year, it is easy to be distracted by the gift purchasing, the lists, the food preparations, the decorations, the Christmas cards, the family gatherings and parties......But all things should be taken care of AFTER we direct our daily course toward Jesus. 

May Day 2 of Advent find you considering your distractions and setting your sights on Jesus first, as we anticipate His coming.  

Blessings and grace,
Kelley

(Here is a short animated clip about St. Andrews Day)