Lower Your Nets!

This morning’s gospel of the calling of the fishermen (in conjunction with the miraculous catch of fish) in Luke 5  can serve as an inspiration to all of us, especially during times, like our own, which tend to be challenging. 
 
If you’re anything like me, you may be feeling a bit discouraged at times, and be inclined to wonder if things will ever change in regard to certain situations. 
 
Peter, exhausted from a night of fruitless toil is in this same “boat” here.  When Jesus instructs him to "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch," he’s not exactly jumping up with excited optimism. 
 
He’s realistic, like any of us. 
 
His very matter-of-fact response is: "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing.” 
 
Nonetheless, he doesn’t stop there.  He’s willing to submit of Jesus’ instructions, although his fisherman commonsense would tell him otherwise: “but at your command I will lower the nets."
 
I don’t know about you, but this passage nudged me this morning. 
 
I may be tempted to think, “What’s the use?  I’m not succeeding.  I’m not catching any fish.  I might as well give up on that.” 
 
Perhaps, in this morning’s encounter, Jesus is whispering to you and to me: “Don’t give up!...Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch."

If we are open and obedient, if we keep spending time with Jesus, we might just see our own miraculous catch of fish (or whatever that translates to in our own lives). 
 
In whatever our circumstances, may we be attentive to the Holy Spirit’s call to leave everything and follow Him.