Focus

As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.

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Read

Luke 5:1-11 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

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Reflect

Jesus had just called the first disciples. After preaching to the crowds at Lake Gennesaret from Simon’s boat, Jesus tells Simon to move into deeper water and put the nets down. Simon had just finished an unsuccessful night fishing. He was tired and had his doubts, but that didn’t hinder him from stepping out in faith and obeying Jesus. Simon did not let his doubt disable him or get in the way of obedience.

What a reminder to us! We are called to obedience to the LORD even when we are tired, discouraged, and have doubts. While regularly serving at a homeless shelter in our community, I questioned, “Why was I doing this? What was the value of it? Was it the best use of my time?” My service there sometimes brought out the worst in me. My sinfulness was revealed in my judgmental attitudes, unkind words, and self-centeredness.

I was reminded by God that He had called me to serve in the homeless shelter. I was to continue to serve there until He led me away from there. I needed to wrestle with the sin that was revealed in my life through my work there. Simon didn’t let his doubt disable him. When Jesus told him to move into deeper water and let the nets down, he did. I needed to cast aside my doubt about my effectiveness and continue stepping out in faith and serving obediently.

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Pray

Loving Father, I confess to allowing doubt to disable me from faithful service to you at times. Lord, help me to step out in faithful obedience entrusting the results to you. Give me perseverance and endurance to carry out the work you call me to today. Help me to align my behavior more with your character as I seek to overcome sin. May I serve wherever you call today with joyful obedience.

Go with God!