Let Down the Nets

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 

Let Down the Nets

The twilight has overcome us
exhausted from our failures
all we have done has been naught
emptiness and poverty our gain.

Our arms our heavy with labor
muscles sore and torn down
the catches used to seem easy
life's abundance surrounded us.

Now we are older with families
there is never enough to go around
we loan our boats to random teachers
yet we have no rest in the end,

We are sent back out again and again
deeper water, more dangerous seas
yet the nets are full and hearts light
despair has turned to hope once again.