3 September 2015 - running the risk of running (duc in altum)

We are exhausted by our own fruitless efforts. We need to be "filled with the knowledge of God's will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit".

Our own ideas have already worn us out. Since we need to know his will, we are ready to listen. 

Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.

We have all but given up when the LORD tells us that there is a catch out there for us, there is purpose to be found. Will we trust him enough to take him at his word? All of our efforts have left us empty. We have caught nothing and we're tired. Will we lower our nets at the word of Jesus?

The power of God strengthens us with "every power, in accord with his glorious might, for all endurance and patience". We are able to be patient, waiting for God's timing. We are able to endure and press on when our own efforts fail us. His strength prevents any of these things from making us turn aside. His endurance keeps us out in the boat long enough to lower the net one more time.

When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.

The risk we run when this happens is that we run away. We insist with Peter, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." We have taken our first step into living beyond our own strength, to living on God's power and not our own. It is exhilarating. It can be terrifying. We know always risk falling back our own strength. We risk looking away from Jesus toward the waves and the storm and sinking. We don't want to fail and this makes us want to run.

Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.

But the risk doesn't justify bolting. After all, we start exhausted by trying to do things ourselves and Jesus meets us. If we fall back to that place Jesus does not cease to invite us to follow him and walk by his Spirit rather than our own strength. We are prone to failure. But we can't let fear of failure prevent us from lowering our nets once more, if it is Jesus who is inviting us to do so.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.