Into the Deep
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So 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.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and 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 fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:4-11
As a fisherman, I’m drawn to the accounts recorded in the gospels where Jesus is out on the water. Interestingly, when it comes to having a successful catch, He always tips the scales.
Not so for me. In fact, I often jokingly refer to Luke 5:5 as one of my life verses “…we’ve been fishing all night and haven’t caught anything”!
Many of us are familiar with the account noted above and quickly move to Peter’s repentance and Jesus’ invitation for application.
However, an author by the name of Jonathan Cahn offered some further insight. He writes, “What did He (Jesus) tell them to do?” The answer? “To launch out into the deep.”
So, what’s the point? Is it just that Jesus had insight into the fact that there weren’t any fish in the shallow waters? Or is there a deeper (no pun intended) meaning?
Where the Blessings are Found
Cahn offers this thought: “The blessings of God aren’t found in the shallow waters. You won’t find them in the shallow waters of faith.”
He continues, “There are many who call themselves by the Messiah’s name, but most dwell only in the shallow waters. They stay by the shore, by that which is familiar and comfortable.
“They never fully leave the old ways, the old life. So, they only know the shallow waters of God.
“Others who are called by His name never fully launch out. They never enter the deep. They believe, but with a shallow faith. They read the Scriptures, but only see the surface, the shallow of the Word. They pray, but only in the shallow of prayer. Then never enter the deep of it.”
According to Cahn, it’s only when you launch out away from the familiar and comfortable into the deep waters of worship, the deep waters of the Word, the deep waters of prayer, and the deep waters of faith that one finds sought-after blessings.
It’s only when you launch out away from the familiar and comfortable into the deep waters of worship, the deep waters of the Word, the deep waters of prayer, and the deep waters of faith that one finds sought-after blessings.
Moreover, it’s only when you launch into the deep that you begin to see miracles – miracles so great that your net begins to break.
I think Cahn is onto something here. All too often we stay in the shallows – not risking the deep of a more daring faith or the deep of a more serious study of Scripture or the deep of a more passionate worship or the deep of a more intense prayer life.
In the words of C.S. Lewis, “We are far too easily pleased” with our shallow relationship with the Lord. When all the while there were blessings to be found and miracles to be realized.
So let me encourage you to move beyond the shallows and launch out into the deep waters of God today. And see if, as you do, He might fill your net with that which will amaze you.
PRAYER
Lord, I long to see greater things in my walk with you. However, I see that though you want to provide these, it will require me to move from my shallowness. Help me to move out into the deep with You so that I can know Your blessings.
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