Navigating God’s Way in a Changing World

Navigating God’s Way in a Changing World

“Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch” Luke 5

            We are navigating a new world each day. Unlike the explorers of

old who searched for a safe passage to the west and whose maps were outdated, our navigating takes place in a world where information is at our fingertips in mere seconds. Yet the new world is a world where what was once considered clear and understood is no longer accepted and even questioned. Whether this is ethically correct or not one must realize that Magellan really did not know how large the Pacific Ocean was until he was in the ship trying to find the other side of it.

            Our lives take us through new journeys each day. Some days are similar to others but if we only have so many of years months and days allotted to us why not make the most of each one?!

            In Luke 5 Jesus challenged the fishermen after they had not caught any fish with their nets out overnight. Jesus challenged Simon to go out a little further into the lake where the water was deeper and let down the nets for a catch. They did this right away and they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to help and the both boats were full. Simon Peter and his companions were astonished at this and fell at Jesus’ feet. Jesus said to Simon, Don’t be afraid from now on you will catch men. The fishermen went up on shore and left everything and followed Jesus.

            In this action, Jesus calls the first disciples and he enlists ordinary human begins to become agents of His kingdom in the sphere of influence where they are. This is the way the Lord works in the lives of His followers in every time and place. To Simon Peter he said, “Put out into deep water”. Then he told the others, “Let down the nets” Why did Simon Peter and the other disciples listen to him? Jesus was a carpenter. How did he know where the fish were or did he get them to swim there???

            When they saw the catch of fish these fishermen and Simon Peter knew something was up. And when Jesus said, “Follow me and you will catch men,” he and his companions went to shore, and followed Jesus. Until this moment, Peter’s world was not much bigger than the lake he fished. His future was in fish but now it was with Jesus. As a follower of Jesus Peter allowed Jesus to establish his destination. Peter like any traveler asked, Where do I want to go? Where am I now?  And he answered Jesus and followed.

            Peter also followed Jesus where he was taught to navigate his future—with Him and to rely on Jesus for learning and all his basic needs. As a follower of Jesus, he also came to know Jesus and what his purpose was. Jesus changed Peter within and through this transformation Peter became most faithful.

           

REFLECTION:
Do you believe we are living in uncharted territory as we continue in our life’s journey in this time? What causes  you to think this?

Peter and his companions were challenged to go into deeper water and let out their nets. They did catch fish but they also caught more than this. What else do you think they learned with Jesus calling out to them?

Disciples of Jesus: allow the Lord to establish the destination

                               practice navigating through unchartered territories

                               care about who they are in Christ

Do you agree with these statements which describe disciples of Jesus?

PRAYER

Holy God of love we thank you that Jesus is the one who leads us through this changing times if we truly enable Him to establish our destination. We pray O God that we may navigate our way through faithful living what it means to be a disciple in Jesus. Show us what this means as we seek to understand Jesus as our Navigator and Compass in our lives. Amen.

This reflection is based upon some ideas offered by Gary Inrig in his book, True North: Discovering God’s Way in a Changing World,  Discovery House Publishers, 2002; ch.1