Scripture:

“Once when he was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, the crowd was pushing in on him to better hear the Word of God. He noticed two boats tied up. The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets. He climbed into the boat that was Simon’s and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Sitting there, using the boat for a pulpit, he taught the crowd.

When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, ‘Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch.’

 

Simon said, ‘Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets.’ It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.

 

Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. ‘Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.’ When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee’s sons, coworkers with Simon.

 

Jesus said to Simon, ‘There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.’ They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.” Luke 5:1-11 (MSG)

 

Perspective:

Jesus was teaching the people, and Simon Peter happened to be doing his work in his boat. Upon the request to teach from Simon’s boat, Simon had a front row seat to hear Jesus’ words. After Jesus was done, He had specific instructions for Simon. Simon needed to move his boat from its current location to experience miraculous provision. While it seemed simple, it didn’t make sense. Simon was a fisherman by trade. He knew the best time to fish and the best locations. He had spent all night fishing with no return for his effort. While Simon Peter could have been insulted by this man standing in his boat, he obeyed, because Jesus said it. As the boat moved into deeper water and nets were cast out, something began to stir in the water. It wasn’t the movement from boats surrounding his boat. Fish began filling his nets over and above what they could hold. Friends surrounding him began to be impacted by this miraculous moment as well. While Simon Peter had just thought he was letting this man stand in his boat to preach, Jesus was setting the stage to bless him abundantly. Simon Peter received something far more than fish in a net that day; he came to a new understanding of who Jesus is. When Simon Peter was willing to push away from the comfortable shore, the very thing he needed was provided for him.

 

When God asks us to “push out into deep waters” in our lives, it can be scary. Maybe you feel like you are at the end of what you can do. You have exhausted all of your resources and knowledge to find a solution to the situation you are facing. The answer can be found in trusting in Jesus one more time. In responding in obedience by moving to deeper waters, we don’t just find the physical provision we need; we find Jesus, the one we need. It doesn’t always make sense, but our acts of obedience open up the door for God to move. Simon Peter’s greatest step of faith would not be when Jesus asked him to throw his nets out again; it would come after that moment when Jesus asked Simon to lay down the career he had known. One step of faith in response to Jesus opened the door for him to follow Jesus. That moment was a defining moment in Simon Peter’s life. When he started moving the boat out into deeper water, he had no idea how significant it would be. We can’t always see the totality of what God is doing in response to our faith and obedience. One step of faith may open the door to experience God’s greatest plan for your life that you could have never anticipated. So, when Jesus asks you to push out to deeper waters, don’t be afraid to move.

Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002.  Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. 

[separator_small separator_width=” thickness=” up=” down=”]

About Hona Amer

I help people live life to the fullest. Check out my book, Smart Work U. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. In order to receive updates, subscribe below.

 

 

 

[separator_small separator_width=” thickness=” up=” down=”]