Our last night in Alaska I stay up late and write in my journal. I write words about weariness. I search for peace. And as I flip through my Bible searching for a verse, I land on a fishing story.
Jesus tells Peter to go out deep and put down his nets.
Peter, weary, replies, “We worked hard all night and didn’t catch a thing.”
And in that moment, I feel like Peter.
I know what it’s like to strive, to work long hours, to wonder if my “fishing” will lead to anything.
I read more.
Peter adds, “But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”
And ths time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. Luke 5:7
Suddenly, I realize that “catching fish” is not my responsibility. Intead my role is obedience, faithfulness, letting down the nets when God says to do so. It’s not striving in my own strength but relying on the Spirit.
There’s something else comforting about this passage…those two phrases “their nets were so full of fish they began to tear” and the boats were “on the verge of sinking.” God knows our limits, what we can handle. And while it may seem He takes us right to the edge of them, He won’t let it be too much.
And we don’t have to do it alone.
After this miraculous catch, Jesus told Peter that from now on he would catch people instead of fish. “And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.” Luke 5:11
It’s never really about the “fish” in our lives. It’s not about reaching that goal, achieving that dream, accomplishing the most.
Instead it’s about Jesus. The One who asks us to let down our nets, who brings us blessings, who challenges us, stretches us, and ultimately asks us to follow Him.
The really good news?
I can stop striving.
You can stop striving.
We can simply listen to the voice of the One who loves us and obey.
Then He does the rest.
And our hearts can rest.
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