“Empty nets lying there by the water’s edge”
For the Sake of the Call – Steven Curtis Chapman
First line, second verse. Forgotten by many, myself included. Yet in a moment of endless multitasking, the words suddenly broke into my consciousness.
Imagine those nets, what they have seen, the stories they could tell. They watched as Peter and his brother Andrew grew, casting and tending the nets, learning the craft from their father. They could feel the rawness of worn and torn hands until calluses formed into grips of leather. They could recount every tear, and how the young men labored to mend them. They knew the rhythm of being tossed into the sea, the weight of hope as they sank into deep water. Some days they returned heavy with fish, other days, empty and lifeless.
One such morning, boats stood idle as fishermen cleaned and mended their nets. A crowd had gathered to hear Jesus speak. He stepped into a boat, asking that it be put out a little from the shore so all could see.
When He 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.”
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed Him. Luke 5:4-6, 10-11
Jesus took their lifelong skill of catching fish (or not catching) and transformed it into fishing for the hearts of men. Empty nets of the old ways were cast aside as He taught them new ways, new nets as it were.
We spend our lives honing our abilities, providing for our families; calloused hands pulling at what we think we control. Yet we fail to acknowledge it is the Lord Who directs fish into our nets, (or sometimes away from). And when we come up empty, we are frustrated that our efforts were in vain, our time wasted. So, we continue the task at hand, cleaning our nets and preparing for the next day.
Peter said, “Lord, because You say so, I will let down the nets.” We need to seek the Master, Lord God Almighty, and allow Him to direct us to where the water is deep, and the catch is abundant. In the time and place of His choosing, our nets, both old and new, will be filled to overflowing.
Amen…
If these words have been a blessing, pass them along to another who needs to hear. If you would like to read more, subscribe below or email me at John@LiftedKeys.com and we can find a way.
Leave a Reply