Luke 5:1-5
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
I went fishing this morning. As a child we lived on a lake and I fished a lot. We live less than a mile from a lake today. When I arrived at the lake, I could tell right away it was the wrong time to go fishing. There were no other fishermen to be seen. The sun already felt very hot. The wind was coming in and the air was humid. It rained last night and the water level was low. Nothing about the situation told me this was a good time to fish.
The heat and sun drive fish deeper into the lake. The rain washes in food and clouds the water, reducing the likeliness of a fish to choose my bait. The wind made the water more choppy and the low water level gives larger fish a greater opportunity to eat minnows and smaller fish because it takes away the shallows.
So, why did I stay for a bit?
For the same reason the disciples went out on a hot sunny morning, they were directed by Christ to try again. They had fished over night in the best conditions but had caught nothing. Now in the morning, with the sun’s heat on them, they cleaned and put away nets, certain they were done. Until Jesus directed them to try again.
I prayed for people last night. But this morning I felt directed to pray again.
The best place for me to pray is while I’m fishing. Even when it’s the wrong time to fish. I’m sure the disciples could relate. Maybe you can too. But in your own way and with your own life experience. This isn’t specific to fishing. It could be any task, hobby, experience or job that relates to you.
Where is Jesus directing you to go? Is there something He wants you to try again? Is there a place where Jesus called you? Is there something He called you to do for Him?
Do you keep telling the Lord, it won’t work, it’s the wrong time and that He should give up?
Or are you ready to trust Jesus for His direction in your life?
“When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word
What a glory He sheds on our way
While we do His good will, He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”
-John H. Sammis, 1887
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