The One Who Calls
Luke 5: 6-1 ( NIV)
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Have you ever been asked to do something that did not make any sense? For me, it was when I felt God ask me to decide about leaving a job to pursue something else. At the time, the job itself had not been going well but it was sufficiently okay that I could see myself doing it for a few more years. Then came a moment where I felt God say that it was time to leave. I had no idea what lay ahead, but I was obedient and left the role. It would be a few years before I fully understood what God had in store, and it was so much better than I could have ever planned on my own.
From Jesus' birth and childhood, we are fast-forwarding a few years to his short season of ministry. He's been healing people and teaching in the synagogue. One day surrounded by a crowd at Lake Gennesaret, he asks Simon Peter to take him out onto the water so he can teach from the boat. Afterwards, he asks the men to cast out their nets. I imagine Simon Peter looking at Jesus in disbelief as they'd been fishing all night and caught nothing. Cast the nets again! Crazy! But he obeys and catches a net-breaking number of fish.
The miracle, though impressive, was not what prompted the disciples to follow Jesus. They left that miraculous catch behind; the one who called them made the life change happen. Jesus called them into a new life and a new adventure. Following Jesus is being aware of the one who calls. Today I would encourage you to spend time listening to God: what does he have in store for you today.
Prayer - Father thank you that you are the one who calls us. Help us to see what you have in store for us today and beyond! May this be the central excitement of this Christmas.