“Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Luke 5:5

Launching into the deep is not something we do willingly in life. Oh we’ll put our toes in the water to test the temperature, or wade in if things feel familiar, but but launching into the deep can take courage. When Jesus suggested that his friends launch out into the deep, they responded, we tried that already. Then Simon thinks twice and says, okay, because you suggested it,

We Will Try Again.

Somehow, they only needed to believe it was possible for success to come forth. Jesus is saying to you, “Launch out into deep waters and let down your nets for a catch.” A life of overflow is possible. All you need to do is set your eyes on Him believe a new for you is possible. 

There is something inexplicably wonderful about giving, be it love, or laughter or possessions.

Giving Brings Joy

Imagine the joy God feels when He brings gifts to us when we ask Him. After all, He gave to us the power of free will. We choose to believe, or not to believe, in Him. When we chose to believe and actually call on Him, asking for His help and blessing, imagine the joy He feels. Joy can be yours, with one simple call.

“For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace…” Isaiah 55:12

The rock band Journey gave to us one of the most iconic songs in history, “Don’t Stop Believin'”. Incredible advice no matter who you are, or what life throws at you. Of course, you may say to me, was that song written about faith? My answer, who cares! To me, words matter.

Don’t Stop Believin’ Are Words I Can Get Behind!

What happens to you when you start believing? For one, you begin to believe the promises of God, such as the one in Isaiah 55. God promises when you draw near to Him that your outlook will change. “You shall go out with Joy and be lead forth in peace.” Remember this the next time that Journey song comes on the radio.

God said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” Exodus 14:16

In the movie Jaws, one of my top five all time favorite films, Roy Scheider is leaning over the stern of the Orca, their relatively small and aging fishing boat, when he gets his first glimpse of the great white shark. In a moment of sheer panic he backs away, somewhat in shock at what he’s seen. His only comment, “you’re gonna need a bigger boat!” In our lives today we always seem to need a bigger boat. The doctor walks in, looks us in the eye and says, it’s cancer. The banker calls and says the payment is overdue. A loved one looks at us and says this is beyond repair. There are a thousand and one scenarios in life where we just need a bigger boat. Thankfully,

God Is A God Of The Miraculous

When you reach out in faith to God, and hand your burden to him, somehow, someway, waters divide and a way through is revealed. He is all you need.

“…The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

In high school I met a friend who was into weightlifting after school. He introduced me to his friends and they became my social club, a friendly place to hang out, and a place to learn something new. Between my sophomore and junior years there was a transformation. The rail thin skinny kid I once was changed and the football coach was suddenly paying attention. That’s when I realized that real strength was not in my new physical ability, but in my believing that

Change Is Possible.

We tend to live our lives believing that nothing can ever change. That impossibilities are all we have to look toward to. We fail to realize that the ultimate possibilities rest with God. Real strength isn’t about your physical ability, it’s your ability to believe in the One who can make your change possible. Prayer become that first step forward, for you now have God’s undivided attention.

Jesus said, “…Take up your cross and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24

In J.R.R Tolkien’s classic tale, “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”, Frodo Baggins has the very difficult calling of carrying a “Ring” filled with awesome power to its destruction. In a final climb up a mountain, just at a moment when the burden is almost to great for Frodo to bear, Samwise Gamgee, his friend, says to him,

“I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you.”

When Christ says to us, “Take up your cross and follow me,” He knows there are callings, and dreams, and burdens we have to carry in this life, but over and over again in scripture, God says, “I will carry you.” When the load gets too heavy, hand it to the Lord. You are not alone. Let Him carry you.