Let Down Your Nets

So there they were... those pesky disciples. They had been fishing all day - in the heat, on a boat, no wind...NO fish.

Jesus, wanting to cash in on the acoustic advantage of the water and the surrounding cliffs, asks to go out on the water a ways and preach. You know they were tired and sun-worn. But I would imagine, although irritated, once Jesus’ soothing voice and words of wisdom started echoing out in that inlet, their cares would have just drifted away. To be in the presence of the Word...as a fantastic song reminds us, I can only imagine.

Anyway... we don’t know what Jesus’ preaching was on at that moment. But just like my Awesome, Always-right Savior, it’s not always what He says, it’s what He does. He looks at His boys and tells them to head back out on the water and go fishing. Read the first paragraph again.

And I suppose, because they had learned their lesson before, Simon says, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:4.) Oh my gosh I just love this. I love the hint of “you’re a pain in my dusty sandals” under-the-breath comment while submitting to the Master. This is such a teenage response! I’m only laughing at Simon because I can soooooo relate. And what did Jesus say? Nothing. Ab-so-lutely nothin’! Jesus is such a wise teacher, but you have to think that He’s giggling about their attitude...knowing what’s about to happen.

And do they catch the fish? (My Lord is going to make his point here loud and clear.) He’s simply implying, ‘If you follow my instructions and listen to what I say... you will catch the fish.’ There were so many fish in their nets, they had to call in reinforcements just to bring it in. I’m laughing! C’mon...say it with me...I love my Lord!

After Simon, Simon Peter, and the boys picked their jaws up off of the deck (their pride was left back in the deep sea), they turned to Jesus and pulled a classic Wayne’s World “we’re not worthy!” reaction. “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell on his knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’” (Luke 5: 6). I’m with you boys. I feel your pain.

So where are you in this story? Are you the disciple? The witness on the beach? Maybe you’re the fish.

Today I’m Simon Peter; I’m doubting what God is telling me to do. I’m listening to the instructions, somewhat following the rules. But my faith doesn’t feel in the right place. I’ve fished all day and have caught nothing. I’ve thanked God for my beautiful family, my great job, wonderful friends, etc.; but I’m still looking for the big catch...and it just ain’t comin’.

Answers to prayers are sometimes slow in the delivery but there’s a reason! With this story, I can almost start to understand that perhaps Jesus just needs my attention. He’s reminding me that ‘of course your feeling tired and like you have an empty boat. Darling...You’ve been fishing ALONE! Your methods haven’t worked because you didn’t use my timing. And you certainly weren’t using my nets!’

We have to submit. We have to listen to the guidance that Spirit is giving us. And even though we’re exhausted - we have to put back out to sea. The lessons Jesus is teaching us now is what will make a difference for eternity. We have to struggle and learn and even fail and succeed. But the big catch is there. Just put your trust in Jesus. Rename the boat and turn it back out with the tide. When trouble comes along, don’t solve it yourself...give it to Jesus.

Is that the end of the story? Of course not. Never is...

Jesus, after receiving the thanks and admittances from the fellas simply says, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” (Luke 5: 10). And you know what? They never fished for a living again but there certainly are a lot of Christians in this world, thanks in large part to my boys from the boat.

This is the point, really. Jesus has selected a few of His children to help Him bring in the haul. It’s not our job to struggle and learn just for the sake of learning. It’s our job to go through all of this so that we have a story to tell. I’ve tried for years to lose weight and the minute someone skinny tells me how to do it; honestly, I want to force-feed butter down their scrawny necks. But I digress...  Do you honestly think that a sinner wants to hear from someone that has gotten it right since day one that Jesus can help them? I’m not encouraging you to pick up drinking so that you can break the habit. I’m simply saying that the challenges you have faced and are going to encounter are the bait!

And when He’s ready - when we’ve learned enough - the catch will come in. It might be one significant fish you’ve been after for a while, one fish that convinces all of his friends to join him, or a catch so large, well -  You’re going to need a bigger boat! The rewards will be worth it so much that you’ll throw yourself at His feet and declare your unworthiness. What a party it’s going to be!

How do we get started? Reflect on your own experiences. Imagine what your testimony might be. Practice telling the wind how Jesus made things better for you; how He answered your prayers. You have a story to tell. Remember - the best bait is usually the freshest. Spirit will give you the opportunity to talk to someone who needs to hear - you just need to be ready to tell your story. Don’t shake your head at me. You do have a story to tell!

And the next time Jesus tells you to go fishing, let down your nets, let down your guard, let down your hair... and get your big boat out there.

Still Small Voice

I bought a new van. Well - let's be honest. I'm borrowing a new van until I pay some people some money. We just love it! It has so many buttons and lights and levers and buttons ... the girls and I have been on our own daily carnival ride for the last month. We even discovered green limo lights that have no purpose whatsoever except to make three girls giggle. This car was made for us!

There have been a few things I couldn't make sense of and was too proud to read the manual about. There is a small triangle on each of the side mirrors. I thought they would light up when I turned on the blinker, but no such luck. Curious yet patient I've driven on, waiting for the mysterious triangles to unveil their secrets. But we'll get back to these in a minute.

I often feel as though life has been going along with the occasional ripple or even slight wave in my calm seas. I pray. Jesus and I walk. We talk. We deal. Lately, however, my calm seas have been a tsunami and I feel as if I'm losing my grip. It's back-to-school time which is chaotic and exhausting for me, I have friends with very sick children, I can't get the checkbook to balance, and, wouldn't-you-know-it, according to pictures posted on Facebook my diet isn't working. (Suppose you actually have to be on one to be too upset.)

So I pray harder. I don't walk because I've lost the energy. I grow quiet. I don't deal.

Where's my Jesus? I'm still praying to Him. I know He's there. I know He's with me. But my Superhero Savior hasn't rescued me yet and I'm having trouble hearing Him over the raging winds.

Yesterday a phrase kept popping into my head -- "Still small voice." I love when this happens because it never fails to be the wisdom I'm looking for with some amazing truth to unfold. This morning, as I write to you at 5:00 AM, I couldn't wait and I jumped on to research my phrase. Check this out.

"And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice." (1 Kings: 11-12)

My tsunami has been so great, my Jesus went Old Testament on my ass.

I have to withstand the flame ... and the earthquake ... and the wind. I know He's there with me. He's most likely holding my hand so I don't blow away or sheltering me from the big rocks that are flying around. I have to endure and get through so that I can hear His voice clearly again. He is the still small voice. He is heard when it is still. But what occurred to me is that He will STILL be there. 

I didn't lose faith in thinking God had left me. I know that some people do and I pray for them this morning. Where I got lost was the frustration of trying to hear my Jesus in the midst of my troubles. I was trying to make sense and obtain meaning without first just holding on to Him. Storms will rage. I know this! But as His child, I need to stop trying to control the wave and simply let Him be THE shelter I need. I need to pray and step into His loving arms and be still while the evil winds blow. This doesn't mean that I just let things happen to me without putting up a fight or praying harder. It means to me, this morning, that I need to Let Go and Let God. He's probably not going to explain what's happening to me or why or what I will be learning from this as the storm rages. Have you ever tried to talk to someone in strong Kansas winds? They probably just smiled and nodded anyway. Best to tuck in, feel His ever-present love, know that He's got the wheel and that I'm where I need to be.

Is my storm over? I don't know. I may be in the eye of the hurricane. I will send up great thanks for the calm but prepare to hunker down again if needed. As any student knows, however, the next time the test comes I will try to be a little more prepared. I've learned something here and that's what is bringing me closer to my Christ... closer to living as the forgiven child that I am.

And when the horizon starts to darken the next time, I feel as though the still small voice will give me a caution light. I'm getting better in my 41st year of recognizing the signs of the onslaught. 

Yesterday while driving in Wichita traffic, I was making a lane change while rushing 65 miles an hour in some heavy traffic. I about made my move when I noticed the mysterious triangle light was on in the side mirror. What in the world? I slowed a bit and just then a car in my blind spot sped on by.

The words that He gives us are probably not going to be on a billboard announcing, "HUNKER DOWN DEAR CHILD! I'VE GOT YOUR BACK." But by tuning in daily and often to Him, I'm going to learn to notice the triangle in the side mirror. It's always there, waiting to caution me. 

And today, with our rain slickers still on, my Jesus and I get to work cleaning up the mess. But first we'll sit at my table and share our morning cup of coffee. I'll also be sure to thank Him for the friend and the family that also were holding on to me in my storm. But the clutter in my head is gone and Radio Jesus is coming in loud and clear. It's going to be a good day.

Welcome to His Table

Have you ever wondered how God is Jesus and Jesus is God, but they’re different?

Have you ever tried to be “all in” with your faith, but still have the occasional doubt about how this can all work?

Are you not necessarily a Scripture Superstar, but still want to know God and love Him better?

Then, darlin’…you are in the right place.

I wasn’t trying to a petulant child of God ... it's just in my nature. I didn’t have to know the ins and outs of my faith. I was trying my best to just have faith with my faith. But there were some nagging questions in the back of my mind. ‘How does this all work?’ ‘Am I on the right track?’ ‘Will this get easier?’ ‘Do I have something to give?’ It felt like my faith couldn’t grow while these frustrations still held firm.

Sound familiar? What are the questions that you have for God? It’s ok to ask! When I was able to enter into a conversation with Jesus and ask my questions, I was blessed with a small amount of enlightenment about how the system works.

I’m kind of like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, which is ironic since I live in Kansas. Dorothy always had the power to go home. She just needed a gift … awareness. It’s a big misnomer that the magic was in the shoes. Watch the movie again. Glenda reminds her that she always had the ability, she just had to learn it for herself.

We are on a journey, one that was determined for us before we even knew to sign up. Our ruby red slippers are the words of God that will guide us home; home to our ultimate gift, the Word of God, Jesus.

There are blessed folks amongst us that know the scriptures back and forth. They can quote and give references faster than anyone. What a blessing. But I, alas, am not one of those people. I love the words of God and try to study them often. But I also understand that they can scare some of us who are just trying to develop a stronger faith. I’m easing myself into that water. Dip a toe with me and don’t be afraid.

We can use the words, but I’m genuinely interested in you getting to know The Word… my man, Jesus. He’s the Way, the Truth and the Life. It’s not just a catchy saying… it’s for real. If you want to get closer to God, Jesus is the way. If you feel that you’re not on the right path in life or if you don’t know which way to turn; check with Jesus, He’ll tell you the truth. Life was given to us as a result of Jesus and it’s eternal life that Jesus wants us to deserve. He’s quite a guy – but we’ll talk more about Him later (and I can’t wait!) What I can tell you is that Jesus has been in touch.

Awareness awaits here for you. You might have to dig in a bit to receive it. Let yourself go – no one is watching except an excited Gardener, a Vine and some Hope. Intrigued? How I pray that may be. Your tree is ready to grow -- let's let the son shine in!