In some ways, the passage in John 21 is so very simple - almost TOO simple really.
The disciples - skilled fishermen - are out on the sea doing their "job" - trying to catch fish. They are not having much success. In fact, they are catching nothing. They are probably pretty frustrated - they are, after all, SKILLED at this job, right? How hard is it for them to catch fish? Then Jesus - the CARPENTER - makes a suggestion. Hey guys - why not cast that net over onto the OTHER side of the boat?
I can imagine these ruddy fishermen snickering amongst themselves. Pssst - d'you hear what the carpenter said? He told us to cast the next on the other side of the boat. Ha ha ha ha... That is what I would have done. Yeah, um, listen Jesus - thanks for the "tip" 'n all... but, well, I've been doing this for a while - - I think I got this fishing thing down pretty good... at the very least, just to play along, I would have peeked over the edge of the boat to see if I could see signs of any fish before lugging that heavy net all the way over to the other side...
But that is not how the disciples reacted.
They immediately obeyed what Jesus said and tossed the next on to the other side of the boat.
And the funniest thing happened - THEY CAUGHT FISH! Amazing!
In their time of struggle and frustration, they:
> listened
> obeyed
> repead the rewards of listening and obeying
Sometimes we have to cast the net without any evidence of a REASON to cast the net - other than the voice of God telling us to cast the net. That's not easy. We want proof. We want evidence. We want to know before we go - -
But that's cuz we are humans.
These past several months I have been on a journey of net casting - and today, I made the decision to cast the net to the other side of the boat with very little evidence (okay, I do have SOME evidence - cuz God is loving and knows I need it!) to do it. And now, I wait and watch with anticipation as the fish start to wiggle their way to the net...
I can smell the tartar sauce already!
2 comments:
Out of curiosity, what do you mean, exactly, by saying that you are casting on the other side of the boat? I would love to hear some more specific information.
Hal - great question...
For over 25 years I have served in "the local church" as a music and worship director. The bulk of that time has been very rewarding and a real blessing. Certainly, because of the nature of "music in the church" it has also not been without it's angst. But overall - an amazing time of healping lead others, as I learned myself, in what it means to worship the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.
Over the past few years, God has been slowly bringing to fruition a passion of mine - in general, in the entertainment industry - but more specifically, comedy.
So, for me, "the other side of the boat" is a decision to leave full time "church" ministry - and head off into uncharted waters to develop comedy, acting and music as a full-time career path that I anticipate also ministering to others along the way - in churches, in comedy clubs, in corporate settings - anywhere I can help lift the spirits of those who just MIGHT be a bit "down" given our current state of national issues.
Thanks for asking!
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