PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 5:1-11
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” (Luke 5:10)
“They pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” (Luke 5:11)
I’ll be honest, though Jesus says “don’t be afraid”, dropping everything makes me afraid.
I marvel that they could so quickly drop everything in response to these words.
What exactly does it mean to “fish for people”, and is this for me too?
Is Jesus saying to me, ‘stop living for yourself and start living for people’?
These disciples didn’t just change the way they fished, they stopped fishing!
This makes me wonder whether Jesus is asking me to change what I am doing?
Is my occupation where the Lord wants me to work for him?
Each person has to wrestle with this for themselves, just like I do.
Is my focus on reaching and helping others, or on being comfortable myself?
Am I more occupied by what suits me than what helps others?
Is the church my focus, or the call of Jesus to reach others for him?
The Spirit seems to be challenging my focus through these words today.
If Jesus called me to follow somewhere different, would I drop and follow?
PRAYER
Lord, I don’t know why these words are sticking with me today. But I do know that it does make me afraid to think you may be asking me to drop and follow. Please elaborate…
Leave everything to follow Jesus! Really it is the way of real living. Trying on our own – it limits us. We are here on purpose for a purpose. Lord, help me not to get in the way! Whatever the situation you put me in today or the opportunity you give – help me to follow your way.
Taking it all to the Lord – after a frustrating day of work, still obeying the Lord. Going His will. Talking with God. Taking it to the Lord in prayer. And when we live for Jesus others will see His light shining through us. People read us by what we say and do. I need to be a living epistle read by all who are around me.
Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treach’rous shoal;
Chart and compass come from Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.