“Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled 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. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 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.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:4-11
When a preacher tells you to “follow the Lord” and “trust in Him”, what does that really mean for you? Some of us may receive it in a way that makes us squirm in our seat with discomfort. We cringe that the idea that God might send you far away and ask you to leave the creature comforts of your city and home.
For Peter, John, and James, they were likely very comfortable with what they did. They would work hard everyday, make enough to to feed their families, and go home to be with their wife and children after a long day out on the water. It was an extremely simple life – but not without troubles. This particular day was a typical picture of what a bad catch looked like – something not so uncommon with the fisherman’s life. How much more afraid were Peter, John and James to just pick up and follow the directions of a man they hardly knew? They knew Jesus was a rabbi of some sorts as they call him “Master”, but what does a person unknown to them possibly know about casting nets and fishing?
When Peter, John and James’ expectations are exceeded in the outcome, they realize that their obedience led to something uncanny, and inexplicable. The three men had hours to lose of work for casting a net required quite a bit of time, which meant more time away from their families. But when they are obedient, God begins to reveal what is awaiting for them.
Our spiritual journeys with God must be similar. We are often afraid of the security and the sacrifices that we may need to make and usually consider them a gamble – that we might simply just lose everything. But, when we choose to be obedient to God and invest our time and energy into the things of God, we have to believe it is for greater purposes that are beyond our field of vision.
Jesus tells them no longer to be afraid when he instates them to go with him to fish for people. But little did they know the kind of journey that would await them, and the great experience they never imagined up ahead.
T H E O P H I L U S 
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