Sometimes We Need Broken Nets

“On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret,  and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.  Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.  And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’  And Simon answered, ‘Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.’  And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.  They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.  But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’  For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken,  and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’ And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.” Luke 5:1-11

Jesus was always intentional, and on one occasion had a very specific lesson to impress upon a very specific person. He taught the pressing crowds from Simon Peter’s boat, then zeroed in on the disciple himself. A proficient teacher with masterful ways, He used truth, illustration, and real life application to bring Peter to a deeper knowledge of His Christ and understanding of his call. Sometimes we need broken nets to get us to unclench our fists from what we think we know to open wide our hands to receive the far more that God wants us to know.

At times we learn simply hearing the word of God. His spirit drives it home to genuine understanding. Other times we need to experience failure to recognize His grace, or weakness to see His power. We might need to surrender self effort to allow His work to be done. Always, the Lord will dethrone us, and give us opportunity to enthrone him, if we are earnest in our learning.

If we would be taught, are we willing to listen? When are we taking time to soak in God’s word directly, not just others’ commentaries or opinions? How willing are we to acknowledge needs and inabilities, and trust God for how He will use them for good? How quick are we to obey His commands, even if we deem them futile or impossible? When God meets us, and does His astonishing work, do we take credit ourselves or fall on our knees in gratitude? What is God calling us to leave behind in order to follow Him with greater zeal and abandon?

Father, help me come to You with no preconceived ideas, willing to let You break my nets to teach me new truths about You, to Your glory and praise.