Luke 5:3-6 - Stepping into one
of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push out a little into the
water, so that he could sit in the boat and speak to the crowds from there.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go
out where it is deeper and let down your nets and you will catch a lot of fish!”
“Sir,” Simon replied, “We worked hard
all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, we’ll try again.”
And this time their nets were so full that they began to tear!
Jesus had more than one reason to ask Simon…better
known as Peter….to use his boat to preach from that day. It was the second time that he had crossed
paths with this man…and today Jesus would ask him to give up everything to
follow Him and help him spread the Kingdom Of God. He that Peter needed just a
bit more convincing before He asked Him to change his whole life…so He
masterminded a catch of fish that would boggle this tired fisherman’s mind. He
showed Peter what happens when we follow God’s directives and become obedient
to everything he asks us to do.
What a great reminder not to let the failures
of our lives dictate the choices we make for our future. If peter had not followed Jesus’ directions…had
not trusted Him to go out one more time for a catch of fish…he would have
missed a great blessing. Perhaps even walking away from Christ in that moment
because he just wasn’t sure that he was who he said He was. That great catch…that
miracle that God produced for Jesus in that moment…was the proverbial straw
that broke the camel’s back for Peter. If he doubted before the catch…he now
believed with all his heart and soul and mind and strength. It was just what he needed to leave a life of
fishing and follow Jesus.
I admit that I am so like Peter ….and I have been that way more
than once. I am saddened when I think of
all the blessings I may have missed because I failed to do what God asked me to…or
was too busy to stop and listen to His directions in the first place. God’s been doing a ton of miracles in my life
lately…and I am overwhelmed with a feeling that He is sending me out on a
mission for Him that will blow the proverbial socks off my feet! I am ready to
lay down a 34 year career….sign the papers for a loan for a house back home in
Tennessee…and I have no clue why he is sending me there…except to reconnect
with my parents and sisters.
Father…thank you for the reminder that when I follow your
calling …you are waiting to show me great miracles and blessings that I could
never conceive of with my human mind. Forgive me for all the times that I did
not listen…or let fear hold me back from following you completely. Help me to keep my ears and eyes and heart
open and listening to everything you tell me to do in the days ahead…so I get
everything exactly the way you wanted it in the first place. Amen.
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