Now when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon responded and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they caught a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to tear; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, to the point that they were sinking. But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and likewise also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him. Luke 5:4-11 NASB
Leaving what we know for that which is unknown is not an easy thing. Our family has moved from where we grew up to a new town 400 miles away. I left a career in Information Technology for church leadership and ministry. New people, new skills to acquire, uncertainty and risk all come with the decision. Four of Jesus closest followers made the decision to leave their nets (career, job, skill, livelihood) to follow Him. It was now small thing then, and its no small thing today. On a funny note, when you as a professional fisherman have been ‘skunked’ all night, and an out of town, carpenter fills your boats with one cast of the nets… maybe its worth following Him! Lol.
What is God calling me to do and be next? How willing am I to leave the nets I know for the adventure ahead?
God, as this day begins- May I be open to Your great and glorious calling. I know that ‘those You call, You qualify’. Thank you for the earthly rewards of obedience and the heavenly one’s as well. Please help me finalize a wonderfully encouraging message for Sunday that will edify Your people. And what a great Thanksgiving it was yesterday. Blessings upon blessings.
