A small fishing boat, lurching and creaking, bobbed in the tide as men lowered lifeless sails and began to pole into the shallows. These men had been tossing nets all night and nothing—not even a nibble. Wet, cold and frustrated, the last word of advice they sought was from their teacher/preacher friend from Nazareth—a carpenter at that—not a fisherman.

“Simon”, Jesus said, “put down your nets in the deep water for a catch” (Luke 5:4 NKJ).

This passage offers three lessons we can apply to our own lives. First, the fishing didn’t go well because the disciples were working things out on their own, without God’s input, guidance and direction. When we seek our own will and not the Lord’s, more often than not, we come up empty.

Secondly, Jesus instructed his friends to “Put down your nets into the deep water.” This directive contains a challenge and promise. The work of God more often than not demands that we step out of the shallows and into the deep water, perhaps far away from home—leaving coastlines which are familiar and secure. Jesus doesn’t offer this command and wave good-bye. Jesus gets into the boat. “He who began a good work in you, will complete it” (Philippians 1:6). Jesus stays with us in what He asks us to do on His behalf.

And the final and perhaps the most intriguing part of Jesus’ words are, “Put in the deep water for a catch.” There is so much more here than God coming to the rescue of some tired hungry fellows who’ve been up all night, soaked with waterlogged nets and nothing to show for it. The implication in “for a catch” suggests that there is a specific purpose in Jesus’ command.

God doesn’t call us out to do a task without a specific end in mind. A God ordained purpose exists in everything our Lord asks of us—even if we cannot see it at the time. Even if it makes no sense!

Jesus’ message to his followers and to us is clear: 1) God must be at the helm of our life, setting the course. 2) We need to get out of the shallows and leave our comfort zones. 3) There is a God directed purpose and plan for us, which will be carried through as we lose more and more of our own will, and relinquish more and more control into the Master’s hand.

Believe! Call on the Master to take command of your life. Believe! Throw out your nets into the deep water for a catch. Believe! Sail out from the security of the shallows. Believe! Get ready for the success to come. Believe! Your sails are filled and your boat is skimming through the seas. You’re anchored to God. Sail on in faith. Sail on in victory for the Lord is in control. Sail on the course He has set for your life, knowing that you move through life with a plan, purpose and provision. Calm water or rough going—sail on, for you are doing the work of God.

Copyright © 2009 by Waters of Life^TM Ministry for Women, Inc., www.wolministry.com