Launch Out into the Deep

The trip had been planned for months. We had finally arrived at our cabin on a lake in northern Minnesota. Our guide and his boat had not arrived at the dock yet, so I was casting my line into the shallow water. I watched as some baby perch nibbled at my bait. Teasing the little ones was not what I had anticipated from this fishing trip. Finally, our guide arrived, and we loaded up the boat and launched out into the deep to catch the big ones.

Jesus was teaching along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. He spoke to Simon Peter in Luke 5:4-6: When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net”. And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. Jesus then spoke to Peter who was overwhelmed at the miracle of the fish: “… Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him” (Luke 5:10-11). As much as the disciples loved to fish, they obeyed Jesus’ calling to the essential task of fishing for men.

Our blessed Lord has given us a similar calling. We need to be about the business of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not know Him. We are to be witnesses and ambassadors for Christ. We have a calling to be laborers in the harvest and fishers of men. Launching out into the deep may involve sharing Christ beyond our comfort zone. Going where the fish are is a key to successful fishing. It may mean leaving the boats of our earthly endeavors on the shore, to engage in fishing with Jesus.

Ask the Lord for those special spots He would want us to fish for men. And let us never be afraid to launch out into the deep.