Second Chance to Launch Into Your Calling
Second Chance to Launch Into Your Calling
We all have heard lots of stories about the come-back-kid. Usually, it is about the one who tried and failed and later tried again and made it. We read about people like Thomas Edison who would not give up after many tries until he was able to come up with the light bulb. In our study this week, we learn about Peter & Company Fishing Incorporated that was almost going out of business until they met Jesus – the number one encourager. Jesus helped them realize their maximum potential /calling by encouraging them to just trying again. We can all try again and encourage others in their second chances to try again.
Luke 5: 1-11
1One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a]with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down[b] the nets for a catch."
5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" 9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." 11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Let’s make the following observations on the passage in addition to the ones you may have.
Jesus was very observant of his environment and what was going on. He noticed Peter and may have seen the frustration on his face and that of his fishing companions. The same applies to us today. God notices our frustration in those areas of our lives that are not yielding the desired fruits. For us as encouragers, we need to pay attention to those around us who are toiling for nothing and seek ways to help them or point them to the right direction.
The “deep water” is where the catch is. Jesus encouraged Peter to take a second chance and a risk. There are challenges in the second launch. We must recognize and accept them. We must also encourage people to take risk because that is what faith is all about.
Do not let your failure of yesterday stop your trying for today. Yes, Peter acknowledged the failure of yesterday and we should also do the same and not kid our selves. If it is not working, say so and people may come to your aid. Peter also understood who was asking him to launch again. Once, we get the conviction of the Holy Spirit to try again, we should do so. Trying again does not necessarily mean trying again in the same old thing. It means getting a new “Jesus perspective”. “But because you said so”. What has God spoken to your spirit that you need to try again? Failing does not make us failures. It means we can try again.
Obedience to the Word of God and His small voice in us will always yield harvest. In this case, it was immediate but in other cases, it may take a while. You and I would also need help reaping the harvest, so do not hesitate to ask for help. Yes, Peter caught the fishes, but it took others to help him bring it to shore.We are no lone rangers and we need one another.
When we realize the hand of God in what we are doing, it calls for worship. This is exactly what Peter did. You and I must understand clearly that what ever we are doing now and having success, is only by God’s grace. Our attitude and action should be worshiping the one who makes it all possible.
“Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men”. Jesus is equally saying the same to us today. Regardless of your profession and calling, the real catch or end product is catching men and women for Jesus. People matter the most to our Lord and they should matter to us. However, it takes a transformation in thinking to get this new vision of our work and calling. You can be kind and helpful to people regardless of what you do. Mathew 5: 14-16, “14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Once we get the vision of “fishing for men and women”, and recognizing for sure who it is that is enabling us in our daily activities, we are to “abandon all and follow” the enabler instead of sacrificing all our life to make a living. We are called to seek Him first and foremost. Have you abandoned all to follow Jesus? Peter and company "left everything to follow him" Let’s not let the “nets” (cares of this world) of daily living stop us from following Him.
Will you launch out again today? What is stopping you? Let’s get the big picture. It is all about relating rightly to people and relating to our God with total abandonment. Is it possible that you nave been satisfied just with the many fishes you have caught but not willing to go all the way as Jesus commanded? I dare you to begin to catch men and women for Jesus. That is the real satisfaction and legacy you can leave. Anybody can catch fish (make money); but few will leave a lasting legacy with people. May the Lord help us follow Him all the way. Amen
We all have heard lots of stories about the come-back-kid. Usually, it is about the one who tried and failed and later tried again and made it. We read about people like Thomas Edison who would not give up after many tries until he was able to come up with the light bulb. In our study this week, we learn about Peter & Company Fishing Incorporated that was almost going out of business until they met Jesus – the number one encourager. Jesus helped them realize their maximum potential /calling by encouraging them to just trying again. We can all try again and encourage others in their second chances to try again.
Luke 5: 1-11
1One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a]with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down[b] the nets for a catch."
5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" 9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." 11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Let’s make the following observations on the passage in addition to the ones you may have.
Jesus was very observant of his environment and what was going on. He noticed Peter and may have seen the frustration on his face and that of his fishing companions. The same applies to us today. God notices our frustration in those areas of our lives that are not yielding the desired fruits. For us as encouragers, we need to pay attention to those around us who are toiling for nothing and seek ways to help them or point them to the right direction.
The “deep water” is where the catch is. Jesus encouraged Peter to take a second chance and a risk. There are challenges in the second launch. We must recognize and accept them. We must also encourage people to take risk because that is what faith is all about.
Do not let your failure of yesterday stop your trying for today. Yes, Peter acknowledged the failure of yesterday and we should also do the same and not kid our selves. If it is not working, say so and people may come to your aid. Peter also understood who was asking him to launch again. Once, we get the conviction of the Holy Spirit to try again, we should do so. Trying again does not necessarily mean trying again in the same old thing. It means getting a new “Jesus perspective”. “But because you said so”. What has God spoken to your spirit that you need to try again? Failing does not make us failures. It means we can try again.
Obedience to the Word of God and His small voice in us will always yield harvest. In this case, it was immediate but in other cases, it may take a while. You and I would also need help reaping the harvest, so do not hesitate to ask for help. Yes, Peter caught the fishes, but it took others to help him bring it to shore.We are no lone rangers and we need one another.
When we realize the hand of God in what we are doing, it calls for worship. This is exactly what Peter did. You and I must understand clearly that what ever we are doing now and having success, is only by God’s grace. Our attitude and action should be worshiping the one who makes it all possible.
“Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men”. Jesus is equally saying the same to us today. Regardless of your profession and calling, the real catch or end product is catching men and women for Jesus. People matter the most to our Lord and they should matter to us. However, it takes a transformation in thinking to get this new vision of our work and calling. You can be kind and helpful to people regardless of what you do. Mathew 5: 14-16, “14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Once we get the vision of “fishing for men and women”, and recognizing for sure who it is that is enabling us in our daily activities, we are to “abandon all and follow” the enabler instead of sacrificing all our life to make a living. We are called to seek Him first and foremost. Have you abandoned all to follow Jesus? Peter and company "left everything to follow him" Let’s not let the “nets” (cares of this world) of daily living stop us from following Him.
Will you launch out again today? What is stopping you? Let’s get the big picture. It is all about relating rightly to people and relating to our God with total abandonment. Is it possible that you nave been satisfied just with the many fishes you have caught but not willing to go all the way as Jesus commanded? I dare you to begin to catch men and women for Jesus. That is the real satisfaction and legacy you can leave. Anybody can catch fish (make money); but few will leave a lasting legacy with people. May the Lord help us follow Him all the way. Amen
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