The Casting of Obedience

Fishing is something that everyone in my family enjoys including me. It is always so much fun to see who is going to catch "The big one" and who is going to catch the "big one" first. Sometimes when someone has gotten that first bite there is usually another person including me who has decided to move to where they are thinking they will also get some activity. It's funny to watch and be a part of and a great activity to be able to do as a family.

In John 21: 3-11 we read how the disciples had also gone fishing one day and what happened to them. The scriptures say that one day Simon Peter had said he was going fishing and the other disciples that were with him said that they would also go along. After fishing all night and catching nothing they headed back and by this time it was early morning. As they were making their way in they heard someone yelling at them from the shore. It was Jesus but they at this time did not know it. You see Jesus had already been crucified, risen from the dead, and had even appeared to these disciples twice already, but for whatever reason, they at this time did not know it was Him yelling at them. Jesus had yelled out "Children, you do not have any fish, do you?" They answered back by saying "No". Jesus then yells back "Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find a catch." After doing this their net was full of so many fish that they were not even able to pull it all in. Right away though after this, one of the disciples to Peter said, "It is the Lord" and Peter upon hearing that dove in the water and swam to shore. The other disciples however remained in their small boat and brought the catch of large fish with them which they had to do by hauling it behind the boat. As they got to the shore they saw Jesus there cooking fish and bread upon a hot fire. Jesus then said to Peter “Bring some of the fish, which you have caught.” Peter then went to get some of the 153 fish in that unbroken net. Jesus then told the disciples to “Come and have breakfast” with Him and they did.

If you think about it these disciples happened to listen to a man who they didn't even know. Here they had been fishing all night and were most likely exhausted and some person standing on the shore tells them to throw their net over on the right-hand side of the boat and they obeyed. Who knows why they did this unless it is like us sometimes when doing something. Sometimes we do things because we just have a feeling to do it and that is because it's directed by God the whole time. For these disciples though when they did this that is when their eyes were opened, and they knew it to be the Lord. Then also because they did this they, in turn, had so many large fish that they couldn't even fit them into their boat. They had so much that they had to tow their full; net in from behind. Then on top of that they got to see Jesus again and have breakfast with Him- what a great day that had to have been for all of them.

It is also interesting in that even though Jesus already had fish cooking for them He asked Peter to go and get some of the fish that they had caught themselves. Imagine what Peter had to have been thinking when he went to the net and saw how many fish they had and even how large they were and also that their net had not even broken. For who knows for sure if he immediately actually got to see how many fish the net brought in because remember he was the first one in the water and was making his way to Jesus- so maybe for him that catch was a great surprise. He then though takes of the miraculous abundance provided by Jesus because of their obedience and can add to the breakfast table with what Jesus had brought for them and there was then plenty to go around.

Sometimes for various reasons, God will have us do something that comes through the guidance of someone else, but it is directed by God Himself. If we are obedient that is when we reap an amazing harvest and God can get all the glory and credit. It may not at the time seem like it's an impossible task, but rest assured it's not and if you will just be obedient you will see great and miraculous things. Also, remember that no matter how big the harvest maybe you will be able to handle it and be able to draw it all in and nothing will be lost just like the disciples that day with their net. Because of their obedience reaped a harvest so large that their boat couldn't handle it. They had to tow it in from behind, but they didn't lose one fish regardless of how many or how big each one was, and they were able to also share the abundance and have plenty left over.

Isn't that how God desires things to be? For us to be obedient in all things regardless of how it looks in the natural? To just cast our "Life nets" in where he tells us and trust that the process will be beneficial to us and others? When we do things this way that is when he can bless others.  Be assured though that with harvest there is always more planting that is required. For we are to always be a blessing with whatever He had blessed us with.

So cast your nets in on the right side (Which is God's way) and see what you and the greatest "Fisher of Men" can do when you in all things are obedient and partner with Him.

From Gardens of Splendor by Gina Burns