Cast Your Nets on the Other Side

"When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." 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." When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 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. 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 catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." (Luke 5:4-11)

How often do we exclude God from our working environment? We hear constantly about the separation of church and state; that prayer should not be in schools; diversity in the workplace. Society is trying to keep God in the church building, and too many times we buy in to it.

What did these professional fishermen think when a carpenter was telling them how to do their business? They were tired from failing at what they knew best, yet they obeyed Jesus. He made these fishermen successful at their jobs, but he had a new job in mind for them.

How often do we fail at our jobs? What about conflicts we may encounter with others? How often do we feel like we are just spinning our wheels? Maybe we haven’t looked to the Master for help. Jesus is asking us to trust Him. He can make us successful at our job. Remember, success can come in different forms. Even if we are successful in or career, He may have something else in mind for us, just as He did His disciples.

Listen to Jesus.

-Jay Crook