Saturday, January 26, 2013
Letting Down the Net
In Luke 5, we find the story of what in Spanish Bibles is sub-titled: "La Pesca Milagrosa" (The Miraculous Catch). There is even a Spanish Christian hymn that goes something like: "It's the miraculous catch of God's handy work; throw your nets for there are so many souls walking without salvation..."
As I was reading, Peter's words in verse 5 got my attention, "...nevertheless, at YOUR word I will let down the net." We all have heard this preached in sermons or taught at a Bible class, at least I have many times. But because the Word of God is living and powerful (Heb. 4:12) a Scripture you are very familiar with all of a sudden has a special meaning to you. At that moment it speaks to your heart. The story goes on that the catch was so big, so out of what they had seen before as fishermen - and considering this is what they have done all their lives it was REALLY big - that Peter fell down at Jesus' knees and said, "Depart from me, for I'm a sinful man, Oh Lord." (vs 8). All the men present had witnessed a miracle and they were all thinking, "who is this man?"
I like to think that I too have answered the call and have been willing to continue in obedience to HIS voice without questioning HIS orders. But I don't. At some instances I have done so: "at YOUR word, I quit my job" and HE has been providing; "at YOUR word, we sold the house" and we have a roof over our heads. But when it has come to accept some women to mentor and/or to give them shelter at the transitional house, it has been more like, "Really, Lord? Look at this one so messed up, such a huge criminal record; really?" But it was "at HIS word" that I accepted two very different ladies, one introduced to me by the other. Though I've been warned by other volunteers and I myself did not like the idea of one coming due to her very visible stubbornness and 'know it all' attitude, "at YOUR word Lord", I said, "I do it trusting you". And whether or not I see my 'miraculous catch' here on earth, I will obey. Both ladies have turned their backs on me and the volunteers trying to reach out to them. However, I felt this great peace, that I obeyed and HE taught me one more time where my trust is. Many times after struggling about sending that letter of acceptance to an inmate, they turn the offer down and I realized that it was all a test... for me.
When you step out of your comfort zone to obey, exercising your faith there are no guarantees things are going to go great. But you have to trust that no matter the outcome, HIS blessings are upon you. The Bible shows us that our faith will be put to a test, again and again. Will I trust HIM as I tell others to trust HIM? Will I reached out and sacrificed my "Isaac" like Abraham was willing to? I find each time, I have a long way to go but if I want to have my miraculous catch, I have to keep throwing the net at HIS word.
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