"So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him."
Luke 5:11
Jesus wants to absolutely transform every thing in our lives, especially the way we work. When He finished speaking, He called on those who had just finished cleaning out their nets to take Him fishing. These exhausted men had worked all night long and had come back empty handed. They were tired, discouraged, and ready for some much needed sleep. After a mild protest by Simon, they decided to entertain this Teacher and take Him out for a short expedition. Little did they know how much this would change their lives!
The key to this whole story is that they submitted to the Word of the Lord. In their own power and flesh they wanted nothing to do with another fishing trip, but they chose to do things with God instead of on their own. When we start working with God and according to His will and wishes, it is there that we experience His power. The nets of the fishermen became so heavy that they had to call back to the shore for help. This was not just a good catch; they knew that this could only be the result of a miracle from God's hand. Working with God instead of our own opens the door for the super-natural to invade our lives. God is now able to work, because we have gotten out of His way. It is then that we are reminded that with God all things are possible.
There are three transformational changes that take place when we see the power of God at work in our lives. 1) We recognize our limitations. The Bible tells us that when Simon Peter saw the vast amount of fish he cried out, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" What did that have to do with catching fish? You cannot step into the realm of God's power and not recognize your own needy condition. Simon Peter and the rest of them knew that they were in the presence of holiness and power. 2) We can never return to the way things once were. Jesus told them that from that day forward they would catch men instead of fish. They couldn't keep doing the same job knowing that there was something better out there. In Christ we have the greatest opportunity of success than any where else. 3) We forsake all to follow Christ. At the point of transformation nothing else matters but Christ. Everything else is a hollow shell of humanity with no hope. Christ is what truly fulfills and satisfies. The choice to walk with Christ alone is an easy one, because you know that with Him your life will never be the same.
May you go fishing with Jesus today!
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