“What a night,” Peter sighed as he reached for another net to wash before going home for a warm meal and rest. “Many more fishing trips like this and I’m finished!” He continued his downcast thoughts. “Who cares about me anyway? I try to live a good life, I’m honest, and I love my neighbors. What am I doing wrong?”
James, his fishing partner, finished his nets and walked over and put his hand on Peter’s shoulders. “Tomorrow’s another day, my man, chin up.”
Not so far away, the fishermen had caught the attention of the Master fisherman, Jesus. He was in need of a boat. A crowd had gathered to hear His teachings. He stepped into Peter’s boat and pushed out into the water in order to stand away from the crowd. From there He spoke to the people.
When Jesus finished speaking, He looked for Peter. Looking into his eyes, He told him, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”
Peter was surprised at the request. He knew what he was doing. After all, he was a fisherman by trade. But he respected this teacher. He had seen and heard of His dealings with people. Everything He did was good. There was just something about Him.
“Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as you say and let down the nets.” Peter could not know how dramatically this act of obedience would change his life.
After loading the boat again, they pushed out into deeper water and let down their nets. No one was prepared for the next scene. Suddenly the nets filled with a large quantity of fish. The once weary fishermen had to summon a nearby boat for help. Both boats were filled until they began to sink under the load of fish.
Peter looked at Jesus as though for the first time. Suddenly he felt a deep need in his life. “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man,” he uttered.
“Do not fear,” Jesus compassionately spoke. “From now on, you will be catching men.”
Peter knew he could no longer be only an observer of this man. This was the second time Jesus had asked Peter to follow him. We are told, “When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.”
Peter had watched Jesus from afar. He knew Him to be a miracle worker, a healer of the blind. Little did he understand until that day, Jesus was interested in his everyday life.
God is all powerful to accomplish what He pleases. Yet in His majestic plan, He has chosen to use us. He wants to grow us and use us to accomplish His will. We need only to make ourselves available. Do we dare say as Peter, “I will do as you say.”? If not, only God knows the blessings we miss.
