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 to 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

Deep water is not full of light and sparkling colored fish. Deep water is dark, and the pressure is intense. Things get fuzzy and confusing in deep water whether on the surface or down deep. Jesus tells Peter to go out into deep waters and let down his nets. Peter didn't want to. He was exhausted after working all night and failing miserably. Yet, that is what Jesus tells him to do, when he is vulnerable and least prepared. And often times, in ministry, Jesus calls us to go out into deep water and let down our nets. Most often, it is at a time when we are exhausted and vulnerable. May we remember today that there is abundance, even when we are exhausted, vulnerable and ready to give up.

Gracious Creator, you create and redeem the world

you give us the strength to go out in deep water

and cast nets when we are weary and very worn.

The world thinks everything should be polished

a performance and not a messy return to the deep

yet you promise abundance even in our exhaustion.

Help us to lift our heads from worry and shame

and go out into the deep of our needy and hurting world

so all may see and know you fullness and abundance. Amen.