Sunday, March 11, 2012

Cast Your Net One More Time! by Janey Goude

Simon was a master fisherman. 

This was a man who knew how to fish. 

He had skillfully trolled the waters all night and come up empty-handed. His experience told him there were no fish to be caught. Who was this Jesus to ask an exhausted Simon to let down his net again? 


“But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.’” Luke 5:5 (NKJV)

Still – nevertheless – Simon submitted himself to the Master. There was something about this Jesus that prompted Simon to act. 

He had heard Jesus speak and knew of His miracles. When Jesus made a request that was intellectually absurd, Simon trusted. 

Jesus did not disappoint – two boatfuls of fish from barren waters.Then He extended an invitation to Simon to walk with Him everyday: an invitation to intimacy. 

Our society values intelligence and independence. Yet God asks us to trust. 

When everything we’ve learned tells us to pull up our fishing nets and go home, God may ask us to cast just one last time. The more intimate our relationship with Him, the easier it is to trust His requests and respond, “Nevertheless, Master, because You ask, I will.” 

Is there an area of your life where God is asking you to trust Him and let down your net one more time? Don’t let anything keep you from doing it!

Janey Goude and her husband homeschool their four children, ranging from elementary school to high school. She enjoys exploring God’s open doors in writing, editing, and collaboration. Read more of her writings: Community Advance and Laying Down the Pen.

Image source: LVC 

12 comments:

  1. My writing career has been like this! As God leads me, I cannot NOT obey Him. Great post Janey--how sweet to trust in the Name of Jesus! -cyn-

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    Replies
    1. Cyn,
      Thanks for reading and taking time to comment.
      Appreciate you,
      Janey

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    2. It's nice to see your devo here, Janey. I posted mine at the other site I write for. It's so neat that a writers group assignment has made its way(s) into the cyber-world. We really do touch lives.

      "Our society values intelligence and independence. God asks us to trust." This will stay with me today. What a blessing, Janey.

      Delete
    3. Dawn,
      So appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment.
      Actually, I submitted this back in December, thanks to Lori's encouragement. This is the spruced up version of the exercise she had us to in writers' group in the fall!
      The devo I wrote for the assignment is up on the BootCamp blog - it came out the day before this one. God's timing. You can't beat it!
      Janey

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  2. Good story, Good observation, and Good advice that's well written. What more could one ask for?
    Keep up the good work, Janey!
    Janet Sheppard Kelleher

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    Replies
    1. Jan,
      So sweet of you to stop by and share your thoughts. Appreciate your encouragement.
      Janey

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  3. Denise,
    Thanks so much!
    Janey

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  4. Hi Janey - so glad you linked up with me on Winsome Wednesday! I love how you explained these verses. So practical. It must have been quite a step of faith for this fisherman to obey. We too need to take that step of faith.
    God bless
    Tracy

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    Replies
    1. Tracy,
      I appreciate you taking time to stop by and share your thoughts. This devotion was a step of faith for me, with some encouragement from a friend. Steps of faith - always scary, but always worth it!
      Blessings,
      Janey

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  5. When we take that step, it can be so difficult because we cannot see what the outcome will be; however, we always find ourselves blessed.

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    Replies
    1. Sharon,
      You are so right! Seems the outcome is rarely what I would expect, but ultimately so much better!
      Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts.
      Janey

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