“Peter, who was first known as Simon, was a fisherman,” Stan began. “Before Jesus came along, Peter made his living as a fisherman, so he was probably pretty good at what he did.”
“I don’t know much about fishing,” I replied.
“I don’t either,” Stan responded, “and that doesn’t matter. But I did see something in Luke’s gospel this morning about Peter and fishing that does really matter for me and my walk with God.”
“What?” I asked.
“There is an account,” Stan replied, “where Peter and some others had been fishing all night. They caught nothing. Not a single fish. In the morning, after cleaning their nets to get ready for the next night of fishing, Jesus was there teaching.”
“What was He teaching?” I asked.
“It doesn’t say,” Stan replied, “but it’s pretty easy to guess that He was teaching about God and God’s kingdom.”
Continuing, Stan said, “What came next is what struck me as being really important for my walk with God. When Jesus was finished teaching for the day, He told Peter to take the boat out into the deep water and put down the nets.”
“Did Peter do that?” I asked.
“He did,” Stan replied, “and this is what is important to me. I’m not sure I would have done what Peter did. I may have said, ‘I’m tired. I fished all night, caught nothing, and I have been sitting here listening to you teach. Can’t I just go home and get some rest. I’ve got to come back tonight and do some more fishing. Can’t this wait until later?’”
Continuing, Stan said, “But, no, that’s not what Peter said or did. He told Jesus that because Jesus said to do it, he was going to obey. The result was a huge catch of fish. So huge that it almost sunk the boat.”
“If it had been me,” Stan concluded, “I would have probably been at home sleeping rather than witnessing the magnificence of Jesus’ provision. From this I learn that when God says to do something, He is saying it for a reason. His reason. And it is not up to me to say that I am too tired, too busy, or too anything that gets in the way of my obedience.”
“I don’t want to miss a boatload of fish, whatever the ‘fish’ may be.”
_______________________________
And when He (Jesus) had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but at Your bidding I will let down the nets.” Luke 5:4, 5.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your provision of everything you have for me on both sides of eternity. You provided the way for life eternally with you when my time here is finished. And you provide all you want for me on this side of eternity while I wait for the train. I confess that too often I do not take advantage of all you have for me on this side of eternity because I want to do what I want to do apart from you. Please forgive me. And please, Father, help me in following your lead so I do not miss anything you have for me to be or to do. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
_________________________________
Things to think (and journal) about:
- What strikes you as the biggest take-away from this devotional?
2. What does what you read say about God and about us as His people?
3. What is God saying to you to do personally?
4. Who can you share this with to make a difference?
_____________________________
Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.
Waiting for the Train 