“Launch out into the deep, and let your down your nets for a catch.” That’s what Jesus said to Peter after climbing into his boat. (See Luke 5).
So many times have I been satisfied with staying close to the safety and comfort of the shallow waters, of what I know, of solid ground I can see and feel, because I already tried the deep waters, and I didn’t catch anything.
I tried to make close friends. I tried to find a church. I tried to reestablish my career after yet another PCS. I tried to reconnect with my spouse after a long deployment. I tried to help the kids thrive despite all the changes. I tried to be brave. I tried, I tried, I tried. What if the only thing I have to show for all that trying is disappointment?
Peter had been fishing all night long and hadn’t caught a thing. I don’t have to imagine his exhaustion. I’ve done my fair share of struggling through the night and coming up empty.
Exhaustion is easier to manage when we have a reward for our labor. Exhaustion with no reward in sight cuts deep to the bone.
The reward for a night of fishing is fish, right? Fish to eat and fish to sell. A night of fishing resulting only in empty, dirty nets and empty, dirty hands holds joy for no one, not the fishermen in the boat, not the vendors at the market, not the wives and children who wake up alone with only yesterday’s leftovers, if there are any.
Jesus’ invitation to Peter gives only the hint of reward but makes no promises. Peter reminds him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
If you know this story, you remember that when Peter left the shallow waters of the shore and put his nets into the deep waters of the Sea of Galilee that morning, the net became so full of fish it began to tear. The abundance was too much for one boat, so he called over to his partners (James and John) to help with the bounty.
Trusting God eventually leads to abundance that flows to others as well.
Maybe you are in still floating in the dark with empty nets. You’ve been trying for a really long time, and you wonder if it’s just time to give up. The night is so long! Can I encourage to hang on for just a while longer? I believe that there is a reward in sight for your labor. I have seen God intervene with a word and change the course of the day. I have seen abundance where there had been only emptiness moments before. I have seen him bless my tentative efforts to reject the shallow thoughts of this world and launch into the deeper truths of His word.
The One who calls you to the deep is trustworthy and faithful. Let Jesus climb into your boat. Listen for his next steps. You can trust him to not leave you empty.