"… was to find his brother Simon"
John 1:41b
Andrew didn't wait for Peter to wander into his path by accident. He actively searched for his brother with the same intensity a hunter tracks prey through the forest. The Greek word for "find" means deliberate seeking with the expectation of discovery, not casual hoping that something might happen. Andrew understood that life-changing connections require intentional pursuit, not passive waiting for divine coincidences to fall from heaven.
Most believers approach connections randomly instead of strategically. They hope the right people will somehow meet at the right time without any planning. They assume introductions will happen naturally without considering who specifically needs to connect with whom. They treat relationship-building like a game of chance rather than developing the intentional skills that create meaningful connections.
Safari guides don't sit in camp hoping animals will walk by their tents. They study animal patterns, track footprints, and position themselves where wildlife is most likely to appear. They know that finding the animals requires knowledge, patience, and strategic positioning. Andrew applied this same principle to spiritual hunting, actively seeking Peter because he understood that meaningful connections require intentional effort rather than accidental encounters.
The word "find" reveals Andrew's determination to locate Peter no matter what obstacles stood in the way. In first-century villages, finding someone meant asking around, checking common gathering places, and possibly visiting their home or workplace. Andrew wasn't making a casual attempt to bump into Peter during his normal routine. He was engaged in purposeful, sustained searching until he accomplished his mission of bringing his brother face to face with the Messiah.
Your sphere of influence contains people who need strategic connections, but they won't find them accidentally. The isolated coworker needs introduction to your small group, but won't discover it by hoping. The overwhelmed single mom requires connection to your church's childcare ministry, but won't find it through wishful thinking. The spiritually curious neighbor could benefit from meeting your pastor, but won't encounter him without your intentional introduction. God has positioned you to be the bridge, but bridges don't build themselves.
Godseekers, stop waiting for divine appointments to organize themselves and start hunting for the connections God wants you to facilitate. That family member who's been asking spiritual questions needs you to actively arrange a meeting with someone who can answer them well. The newcomer at church who seems lost requires your intentional effort to connect them with the right people and ministries. The struggling friend needs introduction to resources that could help, but won't find them without your active pursuit. Get off the spiritual sidelines and start the holy hunt.
Prayer
Dear God, transform me from a passive waiter into an active seeker of the connections You want me to facilitate. Too often I assume people will find what they need without my help, but You've called me to be a bridge-builder who takes initiative. Give me Andrew's determination to actively pursue the people You've placed in my sphere who need connections to Christ, community, or resources. Show me who needs introduction to whom, then give me the energy and persistence to make those connections happen. Help me study the patterns of people's needs and position myself strategically to facilitate divine appointments. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Personal Reflection
• Who in your sphere of influence needs a strategic connection that won't happen unless you actively pursue making it?
• What keeps you from taking Andrew's approach of intentional seeking rather than passive hoping?
Step of Faith
Today, I will actively seek out one specific person God has laid on my heart and take concrete steps to connect them with the community, resources, or relationships they need.
