The Fishing Lesson

I had the privilege this weekend of attending my grandma's church in Union Mills Indiana.  There, Matthew Campbell, their pastor preached on John 21 and the difference between trusting in self sufficiency or trusting in the life-changing power of God. 

The story in John 21 is a good one.  The short version is this - Peter and the other disciples are not sure how to proceed, even after Jesus has appeared to them, and so they go back to what is comfortable for them - fishing.  However in a twist of irony, they are apparently terrible at it as they fish all night and catch absolutely nothing. 

Jesus in his love for them calls to them from the shore and, without them knowing it is Jesus, he reminds them that they have no fish.  None.  0.  There is no results that have come from their natural efforts to do what they thought they were so gifted to do.  And so Jesus gives them a solution - just try again one more time and throw the nets on the right hand side of the boat. 

I am no fisherman.  I fished a little when I was growing up and enjoyed it, and from what I remember, the side of the boat off of which I cast my line had no influence over the number of fish that I caught.  It is not as if fish see a boat and go, "okay boys, everyone to one side."  This request seems a little silly, but for whatever reason, they cast the net.  And suddenly they had fish. 

I love the response that John gives.  He simply turns to Peter and says, "It is the Lord."   Of course it is the Lord.  No other one could provide such a miraculous catch of fish at the word of command to cast the nets. 

This is where it gets challenging.  How many times do I know what God wants me to do and I still argue with him.  I would ask, "why the right side, why not the left God?"  or "I am tired of fishing"  or "are you sure, I think I am feeling called to raise cattle."  When we listen to God it always works out better for us in the long run than when we listen to ourselves.  So, listen to God.  What is God saying to you today?  What does God want you to do today?  How does God want you to change today?  And then have the faith to simply do it.  And watch God multiply the catch you will have as you obey and follow Him.