Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5 NIV). Its not what you do, its who you do it with (and for)! This is never more true than in the Christian life. I think about all those occasions in which I have laboured hard, in my own discipleship and ministry, and seen so little fruit. I am doing my best, and seem to be doing everything right, but still make so little progress. So, I just try harder. I can get up earlier, pray longer and read more scripture, but still feel dry. I can stay up later, doing more preparation for preaching and teaching, but feel everything I do is rubbish. I can squeeze one more meeting into an already packed diary, but feel more anxiety than accomplishment. I can make yet another resolution to love my neighbour, but feel myself dragged down by self-centredness. I can take ever more opportunity do good, in word and deed, but feel I am making so little kingdom impact... Then, feeling discouraged and tempted to give up, Jesus whispers in my soul, ‘Can I come aboard?’ And I realise that I have been striving alone. I have been doing all these things for the sake of Jesus, but not in the company of Jesus. The last thing I want to do is start all over again, to face more disappointment. But when I hear him saying, ‘We can do this, together!’, I find faith again to believe that all things are possible when he is with me, and I am truly following his lead. Time and time again I have found working in conscious relationship with Jesus can bring to pass in a moment what I have laboured and failed to accomplish alone. Lord Jesus, draw near to me, let me hear your voice again, reassuring me of your presence, and leading me on. And, because you say so, I will persevere in faith, and enjoy the miracle of co-working with you in the kingdom. Amen.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 09:49:53 +0000
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