Moving into the Deep

Luke 5:1-11 we see Jesus giving professional fishermen instruction about fishing. They were instructed to go out during the day into the deep and Jesus said "catch fish." There were two problems with that instruction in that it involved the wrong time (day) and the wrong place (deep). The professionals had fished all night and not caught anything. Yet, Peter was willing to be obedient and as a result of his obedience, he received a record catch. Jesus did not say "and try to catch fish," He said you will catch fish.

That is really the way that God works - He moves us from the safety of the shallows and routines and moves us out into the deep so that we can experience His greater work in our lives. That is true for us individually and as a church.

Individually, that can mean God stretching us through job challenges, family challenges, business challenges. We like the safety of familiarity and the shallows. Yet God desires to see us respond with greater spiritual growth as we are also called to be fishers of men and women. But it is also possible that we might not respond in obedience and miss out on seeing God at work through us. Where in your life have you moved into deeper water this week?

As a church, I think we have moved deeper ministry than we have ever been before. Thank you to those who have helped to pull us out deeper. It is out of the comfort zone, but it is exciting to see God doing a greater work in our church body because of this for His glory and His kingdom. Thanks also to many of you who are responding to these greater opportunities but there are greater needs!