While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.
- - - - - - - -
I often contemplate the work that I do and the efforts that I expel. At times, often returning home with a sense of "What did I really accomplish?" I then think about the source of my actions, were they truly grounded in a calling and direction from God? Or were they directed more so from "me."
When we are truly responding to the direction from God there will be no doubt that our efforts are needed, desired, and fruitful. But when we act or respond to anything except from God's call, who are we really responding to?
Some days are just focused on our duties that are uniquely related to our state in life... But these duties are in response to God, is it not the life that He gave us.
At other times we respond to situations in life, events that surround us, and inspirations. We must ask ourselves: IS GOD CALLING ME TO RESPOND TO THIS?
Just as Simon in the Gospel returned from a long day, feeling tired and that his efforts were fruitless, he then listens to Jesus who gives him clear direction. It is then in his faithful and obedient response that fulfillment is obtained.
Are we picking and choosing what we focus our energies on, or are we surrendering our whole being to God's call in our life, listening for his direction, and then faithfully responding?
That is the question of the day, the question of our life.
Is it "Our Life," or the life joyfully surrendered to God, to love Him, to serve Him, so we can know Him in this life and the next!
No comments:
Post a Comment