no fishing for naught

From God Calling:

“Against The Tide. The oarsman, trusting in Me, does not lean on his oars and drift with the tide, trusting to the current.

Nay, more often - once I have shown the way - it is against the tide you must direct all your effort. And even when difficulties come, it is by your effort that they will be surmounted. But always strength and the Joy in the doing you can have through Me.

My fishermen-disciples did not find the fishes ready on the shore in their nets. I take man's efforts and bless that. I need man's effort - he needs My blessing. This partnership it is that means success.”

For it is God who works in you- both to will and to do his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

I like that… the disciples did not find the fishes ready on the shore in their nets. Are we not angry with God for making life hard?! Did it not fail to mention that the disciples had already been fishing all night? They had lowered their nets again and again, pulling up sunken logs, spiny sour fish, and whatever other worthless item was dredged off the floor of the sea. They were tired and spent. They were angry. They knew their families would be disappointed. They would receive no pay that day.

So Jesus calls them at their most exhausted moment to get up and try again. Try again!

A friend of mine recently told me her hesitation about therapy. It’s so hard, she said. I’m afraid of the process. I’m afraid of what will come out of me. I’m afraid that I won’t be able to walk that path, to drink that cup of sorrow. She’s right. The path to healing is definitely not easy or fun. It is that striving against the current and pushing upstream against the tide. It is that agony of soul- fishing hour after hour with no results, feeling the disappointment of everyone around. Yet it is with that striving that the Lord strengthens the broken and restores the wounded soul. He uses the pain to create character.

If you remember the story, Jesus asks the men on the shore if they are willing to give it another go. He tells them to go out onto the sea one more time. By this time their nets were mended and clean, their boat was docked, and all necessary surrender paperwork had been signed. Whatever Jesus said, it worked. They were prompted to drag the nets back onboard, untie the boat, and sail off to wherever Jesus led. Their nets were lowered, the fish jumped in, and the men could hardly lift their large catch.

It’s a lesson. Jesus is building their character for the struggle they would face someday. Jesus would die. They would put away their nets and dock their boat. Surrender. Then Jesus would come to them at their most exhausted moment and call them to get up and try again. Try again! He would make them “fishers of men” and their nets would almost burst for the catch they would haul in.

Struggle against the pain. If you are exhausted, get up and try again. It will be worth it, my friend.

the best of egypt

"you make plans that are contrary to my will. you weave a web of plans that are not from my Spirit, thus piling up your sins. for without consulting me, you have gone down to Egypt to find help. you have put your trust in Pharaoh for his protection." Isaiah 30:1-2

my family was starving. the fields were bare from gleaning. the last chicken was last night's supper. i wake every morning before the sun's alarm and wait for an answer. i'm not sure where the answer will come from but i feel confident. today i saw the chariots and horses along the road. the gold on their wheels shone in the rising sun. they were heading to Egypt.
they were heading to Egypt.
so i went to Egypt. my family was starving.
i met the governor briefly- long enough for an explanation of our famine and a ration assignment. that was enough.
i have put my trust in Egypt. i have put my trust in Pharaoh.
returning home with my bags heavily laden. i heave them onto the ground for the children to open. now our family will survive, our children will eat to their fill.
the women open the bags and fill the feed troughs with the chocolate that melts in the hot sun. the tables are set, the meal prepared. we slice into the gummy worms and chew down one chewy bite after another. the Pharaoh has been kind. he has filled our bags with the best he has to offer- chocolate bars, candy, and frosted cakes. tonight we will eat well.

"But in trusting Pharaoh, you will be humiliated and disgraced... Egypt's promises are worthless."