“When he (Jesus) had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”” Luke 5:4(NIV)

Happy New Year! I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas break. Most of the time off was enjoyable to my family and me. We had a great time playing board games, going to the movies, spending time with family and friends. There was only one catch. I needed to work a few days over the break. Just take care of a few items and prepare for some extra duties. During one of those days I spent between 6-8 hours preparing some work that in the end was fruitless—A big waste of time. The information that I was working with was outdated and useless. I felt sick. Have you ever felt like you worked hard on something and then got nothing in return?

In Luke 5:1-11, there is a story about some fishermen who had been up all night working hard and in the end felt shortchanged. These men were on the shore cleaning their nets when Jesus approaches with a crowd of people following. The passage tells us that the people were “pressing” Jesus for more of the Word. They were hungry for a connection with God. Jesus asked one of the anglers, Simon Peter, to allow Him to use his boat. After teaching the crowd, Jesus asked Peter to take his boat out to the deep water and to let down the nets for a catch. Just in case you do not know, the kind of fishing that Peter and the others did was done in shallow water in the evening or early morning. Their equipment and technique were not suited for deep water fishing during the day or anytime. Even though Peter relays their previous unsuccessful attempts to Jesus, he complies with Jesus’ request and is surprised at the catch. In fact, so many fish are caught that it took two boats to bring them in, and the boats almost sink in the process. After this event, the men end up becoming Jesus’ disciples.

Sometimes we have the best plans, and even after much work, things do not work the way we think they should. This time of year is unique in that it is one of the few times that many people become contemplative about the past and the future. What thoughts, challenges, opportunities await you in the coming year? How are you preparing yourself to meet them? I would encourage you to make 2008 the year that you go into deep water with God. Allow Him to reveal to you new ways of living your life. I promise you, you will be amazed at what He can do!

with expectation...