Digging Deeper

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”  Mark 1:17

 I love my little brother.  Actually, I should say younger brother since he’s a good 6-7” taller than me.  We’ve always had a special bond.  Of my five other siblings, he is the one I’ve never fought with but have generally protected.

 Close to 25 years ago, when I was at one of the lowest points in my life, he is the one who kept me going.  He never knew it – no one did.  At that time, God had told me my brother needed me.  I didn’t understand.  I couldn’t see what I had to offer, but I trusted the feeling and pressed on.  Just within the past month, God revealed to me what He had meant.

 My brother and his wife came to the first services for The Ridge @ Greenville.  I was so excited.  When they both left with Bibles, I cried tears of joy.  It wasn’t until a few weeks later, the truth came out.  My brother had not yet accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

 I point blank asked him – something I had never done before to anyone.  His answer as “not exactly”.  I let him know that “not exactly” meant “no”.  As the conversation ensued, every reason he gave me I was able to counter with what surely was Holy Spirit-guided answers.

 How did I miss this?  How could I not know one of my family members, raised in the church, had not yet secured his eternal destiny?  I realized too often we just assume our family and friends are saved.  Most will listen to us talk about God and all the blessings we’ve received with a smile and even agree.  But how many truly do not know Him as their Father? 

 What God had pressed on my heart that dark night finally made sense.  My brother did need me.  He needed me to help him through his indecision of knowing Christ or facing an eternity without Him.  I knew more than anything I had to pursue him.

 As our conversation continued, we were laughing as I told him I was not going to get all fire and brimstone on him.  Yet, he needed to know now that I was aware of his indecision; I was not going to let up.  He responded with “many have tried before and all of them gave up”.   And in true sisterly form I said, “ahh yes, but none of them was me”.  His “that’s true” let me know the door was open.  I just needed to find the right way in.

 My brother’s indecision about accepting Christ is huge.  He needs to see how much better life will be with God in his corner.  He needs to see Christ in me – in my life, in my actions, in my words – to help him come to know God as Abba.  I need to trust God to lead me through these new waters and accept this challenge before me.

 Do you know for certain your loved ones are saved?  Have you given up on any that just seem like lost causes or just too much work?  Had God put anyone in your life or on your heart to bring to Him?  And are you sitting on the fence trying to decide if it’s worth the effort? 

 God calls us to be fishers of men.  If He has revealed to you someone in your life as someone who needs to know Him then He is calling you to rise up to the challenge.  We mustn’t sit on the fence of indecision when it comes to pursuing others for God’s kingdom.  We need to be His disciples and follow His lead.

 So, grab a pole and meet me at the pond!

 BIBLE READING:  MARK 1

 Abba Father, I lift my brother and his wife up to You.  You know where their hearts are and how best to reach them.  Soften their hearts and open them to hear Your words.  Give me the wisdom to know what to say, when to say it, and how to say it.  I’m in new waters, Lord, and You are my only lighthouse.  Help me to follow Your lead to bring my family home to You.  I ask You put onto the hearts of my believing brothers and sisters those in their lives that do not know You and help them to pursue those lost ones for Your Kingdom.  In Jesus’ Heavenly Name we pray.  Amen.

 Sonja Neal