Throw the Net This Way

Readings:
II Kings 20
John 21:1-14

Focus:
John 21:6:"He said, 'Throw out the net to starboard, and you will make a catch.' They did so, and found they could not haul the net on board, there were so many fish in it."

There are so many things to think about in this passage and the following verses, sometimes it's hard to know what to concentrate on. For example, I love the image of Peter just throwing himself into the lake in order to get to Jesus as fast as he can. That's how Peter always was--he plunged in wholeheartedly.

What strikes me about this passage at the moment, however, is how the disciples had been fishing all night, and had caught nothing, after all their hard work. What they had done on their own had been fruitless.

But when they follow the directions of Jesus for what they are to do, everything is different. Suddenly the results of their work are incredible and overflowing! Giving Jesus control makes an amazing difference.

It may not always be so obvious and overwhelming in our lives. But when we let Jesus be in charge of what we do, the results, whether long-term or short-term, will always be better, more satisfying, and more fruitful, than anything we could achieve on our own.