so many of us are familiar with Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
well, we see this concept played out in today's gospel. Peter has been fishing all night. he's caught nothing. it's probably important to point out that he's a professional fisherman. he's been doing this all of his life, and knows how it works. so when Jesus tells him to put out his net on the other side of the boat, the fisherman in him had to be thinking "oh, it's that simple, is it?" and was tempted to sarcastically ignore the advice of the young carpenter standing on the shore.
but. he decided to put Proverbs 3:5-6 into practice. he did not lean on his own (considerable) understanding. instead, he trusted in Jesus. and here is an important part of the message: trusting in Jesus meant DOING what He SAID.
if Peter had been in the boat and Jesus said "put the net out on the other side" and Peter had been like "I believe in You, Jesus!" but he just kept sailing and didn't put his net down, he would not have caught any fish. you can't just believe in your mind... you have to obey. you have to do what He says.
so Peter does what Jesus said, even though he as a professional fisherman knew that it was useless. but then Jesus did what He does... He rewarded that obedience.
Jesus knows what's going on in our lives. He has it all under control. and He tells us to trust Him. to listen to Him. and to do what He says. when the Proverbs says "acknowledge Him", that doesn't mean just nod in His direction while we do what we want. it means listen to Him. when we listen to Him, and do what He says, He directs our paths... He takes us to the good stuff.
God, please help me to daily listen to you and to stop leaning on my own understanding.
1 comment:
🎼 Leaning leaning leaning on the everlasting arms. 🎵🎶
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