Have you ever felt like Jesus simply couldn’t know our understand your needs? The road to success often means that we need to step out of our status quo and move beyond our understanding. That means that we may often have to persevere even through disappointment and fatigue.
In Luke 5:4-5 below, the fishermen were tired but willing to do their part. They were discouraged but willing to try again. Runners describe a feeling called the “runners high” that only comes after the runner has pushed past fatigue. The feeling of exhaustion yields to the feeling of euphoria. On top of this here we see Jesus, a carpenter, telling experienced fishermen how to fish! Indeed, Jesus understands our needs.
Success happens only if we are willing to keep on going when we feel like quitting and when we recognize that Jesus indeed does know better. Success comes in cans…..not in cant’s! Learn from these fishermen, listen to Jesus and obey His wisdom, apply it daily to your life, however difficult it may seem and especially if it doesn’t make sense against the backdrop of today’s worldly wisdom.
Luke 5:4-5 (TNIV)
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 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.”
Additionally, as we travel that road to success, we must remember the importance of teamwork. As success came, these fishermen had to share the burden. Since Jesus was the ultimate focus it didn’t matter who got the credit. Coming together is a beginning–keeping together is progress—working together is success.
Who is on your team? We need God, indeed Jesus, and we need each other. We shouldn’t go into life alone. It is important that we guard our relationships with those around us. The key is, we can accomplish things together that we can rarely accomplish alone. Teamwork! Is God on tour team? Is Jesus? Is the Holy Spirit?
Luke 5:6 (TNIV)
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.Matthew 22:36-40 (TNIV)
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
While on a sabbatication in Blue Ridge, Georgia, I attended The Ridge Community Church. That Sunday, Pastor Chan Mitchell focused on teamwork with the Holy Spirit. Indeed, Jesus Tells us clearly that He left with us a helper, an advocate, a counselor, a friend and a comforter! What a team!
John 14:26 (TNIV)
But the Advocate [helper, counselor, friend, comforter], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
May you recognize that Jesus does indeed know your needs. May you recognize that we should never travel alone in our journey on the road of life. Indeed, we need Jesus! Indeed, we need God and indeed we need the Holy Spirit to lead us, guide us and to be our friend!