Luke 5:1-11
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God,he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.
He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch."
Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break.
So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!"
For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken;
and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who are partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people."
When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
I wonder what happened to all of those fish? After a long day's work, the master comes and says: Put out to the deep and be ready to haul in more than you ever expect.
Say, what? I've been at this all day. I've got my evening planned (and it doesn't include more work!)
Trust me, says Jesus!
Oh, all right.....
Oh my goodness. One small obedient act of following your instruction, Holy One, and results exceed anything I could ever imagine. In fact, it is more than my boat...my life...can contain....so I will call others to join me...and ask them to help me gather in all that you provide.
Then I return to my home base.... but I don't hover around the net results of my work...
(whatever happened to all those fish? did the beachcombers and scavengers have a feast that night? Oh, that's right...that's not to be my concern)
Like all of those guys...James and John and yes, Simon Peter too... I must leave everything, even the precious surplus when it is given...
You do the calling and the leading. The results are none of my concern...my part is simply to keep leaving everything so that I can follow you.
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