Turning From The Game

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”  And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!  A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.”  Luke 5:4-8

We all have doubts sometimes.  When watching my favorite hockey team, the Detroit Red Wings, play their biggest rival in the playoffs, I used to turn the channel when they were down multiple scores doubting they would ever be able to comeback.  One night when I turned, the Red Wings staged a comeback, and ended up winning the game. Fortunately, I turned back right in time for them tying and then winning the game.  That was the last time I would turn from watching them in a game.  Similar to that in my early 20s, I became distant from God because of the teachings of a minister.  She taught in the word, but would constantly discuss our sinful nature, and as such, I doubted I was never good enough to earn God’s grace.  Thus, I turned away from God.  That was not a bad thing in retrospect because to this day, I realize that no matter what I do, it is never enough to earn God’s grace.  Yet, I am humbled and feel secure because He gave it to me anyway through Jesus Christ.  Are there days that I question whether or not I am saved?  No.  Just as I learned never to turn from the game, through God’s grace, I learned to never doubt His love for and grace given to me.

We must have full faith in the grace God has given us.  This story of the fisherman becoming Jesus’s first disciples is often discussed for its path of discipleship.  It is fascinating to note Simon Peter’s response to Jesus when casting his net into the water again.  “Master, we worked hard all last night, and didn’t catch a thing,” he said.  Then he resigns himself to Jesus saying, “But if you say so,” giving us key instructions when we are in doubt.  We know Jesus is master, and even when we have tried everything we can think of, we must trust in Him.  Why?  Because He said so!  We all have moments of fatigue, frustration, anger, and loneliness where we might allow for self-doubt to creep into our minds.  Is Jesus really here for us?  Will He come through for me?  Am I really worthy?  However, we must remember the lesson He taught Simon Peter.  We are to ‘cast our net into the same water’ not because we expect a different result.  Instead, it’s simply because Jesus said so.  Only then will we have true faith in Him.

God always knows where we stand.  We know victory is ours if we just trust in Him.  Yes, we all face times where things look grim, and there will seem to be no way out.  However, God always makes a way.  We must trust in Him even when we’ve ‘cast our net in the same waters’ before.  So remember how faithful God has been in the past, and use it as reassurance in the future.  What areas of your faith can you further solidify in Christ?  How can you stand firm against doubt?  My prayer is that we keep our faith in Christ so as to never turn from the game.  Amen.