Deep Water

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.Luke 5:1-11

I love swimming in deep water. The light is fractured and filtered. Diving deep there is both a sense of being lost and being held at the same time. Deep water can also be very rough and dangerous both for the swimmer and those on a boat. The deeper the water the higher the swell and the greater likelihood of being capsized. The deeper water also promises more abundance, a swarm of fish hidden from sight. Going to deeper waters always demands courage and faith.

Jesus seeks out companions in ministry. He finds himself in a crowd watching two small boats laboring for their livelihood. On his word they set out into deeper waters. This took courage and faith since they had labored all night and come up empty. Moving beyond our empty demands that we move with courage and faith. God invites us to live with courage and faith despite our discouragements and failure. We are called to try again with God's blessing, trusting the Creator's abundance and love for us.

Today I ask God for an extra measure of courage and faith. Each is a gift from God. May we venture out today in deeper waters, knowing we are guided by the loving hand of our loving Creator.