“Elaine, haven’t you any fish?”
“No, Lord, and to be honest with you, I don’t much feel like fishing today.”
“Well, you’re already in the boat; why not throw your net on the right side and see what’s stirring beneath those seemingly empty waters.”
“I’m tired; I’ve been at this for a long time. I can’t believe there’s anything to gain by my fishing, but because you say so, I will cast my net in your direction.”
And so I do, and here I am… casting my net this morning upon the waters of my “usual.” I may not be in a boat on the Galilean waters, but, like the disciples, I’m doing today what I normally do most days… living the life I usually live, while holding the resurrecting truth of Jesus within my heart and wondering where he’d have me “cast” it this day.
We’ve all been charged with the fishing, friends—with the casting of Christ’s net in a right and good direction. Everyone who harbors the truth of Jesus within and is anchored to God’s grace is assigned with the task of liberally dispensing that truth and grace to others so that they might hold truth as their own. Our fishing reels and rods are uniquely designed with our giftings in mind. Not everyone will cast their nets from a boat; some will cast them from a pulpit, from a classroom, from a hospital, from an office. Some from music, from acting, from persuasive speech, from words. Some from a soup kitchen, a barber shop, a check-out line, a prison cell. Some from a kitchen, a garden, a sewing room, a mailroom.
It matters not the venue we’ve been given. What matters is engaging with God’s question when it is given.
“Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
It was a fair question for Jesus to ask his disciples from the beach that morning. After all, they’d heard it before… in those beginning days when Christ first challenged them to no longer catch fish, but to catch men. They responded to his call by throwing their nets at his command and, eventually, throwing down their nets to follow after the sound of his voice and the heart of his eternal matters. In doing so, their hearts were intricately woven to his and were willing to move forward with his “next” for their lives. But as so often is the case with Christ’s calling upon lives—theirs and ours—the “next” sometimes seems vague, veiled and not yet perfectly clear to the believing heart.
Like Peter, John, and the rest of the fishing crew, we default to fishing in familiar waters without the parallel direction from our Father. Those waters may be well-intentioned ones, well-deserving of some time and attention. But if not directed to fish there, if instead we choose to cast our nets there without God’s corresponding “thumbs up,” then like our brothers of yesterday, we often walk away from those expeditions with empty nets and the subsequent “drain” that comes from casting those nets on the wrong waters.
Jesus didn’t tell his disciples to stop fishing and to immediately come to shore. No, what he told them was to cast their nets on the right side of the boat… the better side of the boat where, apparently, there were 153 eager fish awaiting a net’s retrieval. It was then that the disciples’ eyes were opened to the revelation of who awaited them on the shore.
When they fished in the “right” direction, God increased their return by 153 percent. Sit with that concept for a moment and with God’s initial question, and allow them to speak a fresh word into your soul this morning.
“Haven’t you any fish?”
When God asks a question of his children in Scripture, he’s asking it of us as well. His questions are his invitations to us to join him sacred conversation. He means for them to jump off the pages of our Bibles to become a “now” word for us as we go about our ordinary lives with an extraordinary Friend. Questions are God’s way of casting his reel and rod into the depths of our hearts and minds so that we might further probe them for an honest answer.
If I look around me this morning, I see little evidence of a net’s catch. I see dust accumulating on wooden furniture, a basket of clothes needing washed, remnants of last night’s popcorn fest on my living room carpet, and a dining room table filled with miscellaneous “stuff” that needs my eventual attention. Good waters to tend to, but not waters that will yield the kind of catch that God’s after this day. I could have given in to their immediate insistence—could have walked away from Christ’s question in order to accomplish my ever-growing “to do” list, but in doing so, I would have missed an opportunity to cast my net in a good and right direction—one in keeping with God’s kingdom agenda.
The net has been thrown, friends; the words have been written. I believe that you reside somewhere on the “right” side of my morning expedition. May God reside there as well, tending to your heart and in your answering of his question as only he can.
“Haven’t you any fish?”
Throw your nets on the right side of the boat today, and see if our Father’s faithfulness isn’t waiting there to fill them.
Fish well this week. Fish for the kingdom. I’ll see you on the shore where we will share in the bounty of a good and right obedience. As always…
peace for the journey,
~elaine
PS: Where is God telling you to cast your net this day? What right and good direction has God allowed you kingdom influence in this season of living? When has the “catch” he’s given you exceeded your expectation? I’d love to hear a witness along these lines
wifeforthejourney:
How easy it is to go through our days with our nets folded. We reflect on the "big hauls" of yesterday, or ponder how to deal with the labors that await us in the future. We have all the right tools for fishing, we have an able crew, and we may be well out to sea – but how many of us are just floating along doing nothing?
I feel like those ship-board disciples today…..plenty to do but nothing to show for my morning. No fish.
As I read your post I find myself longing to hear the Lord's voice from the shore.
Renew me Lord, in Your calling on my life. Wake me from my reflections, and shake me from my ponderings. Thank you Lord, for calling me to be a "fisher of men" and for Your grace in reminding us all who You have called us to be, and why we're upon the waters.
May we find just what we need for the day's labor, and the since of urgency we need for today's fish.
Love always,
Billy
Oh Elaine, I wish I knew. I honestly have had no specific direction.
As you know I was seeking guidance for an answer I wanted to give response to yesterday. My reading yesterday morning was about Noah sending the dove out again…for another 7 days…and waiting for God's sign. I feel like I have released my 'dove' again…and I'm in the boat waiting and continuing to 'fish' until I hear His call to move my net to the other side. All I can say is that the weight of the 'net' alone is heavy.
Still seeking,
Joy
Just came back and saw your husband's comment. I never want to live my life on the "big" or "small" hauls of yesterday. My fishing must be current and daily. I hate the thought of complacency becoming acceptable.
Praying today that the Lord will answer your husband's prayer for renewal, refreshing his urgency for "today's fish."
You have a precious family my friend,
Joy
Just the impetus I need to continue on the path of cheerful relinquishment that I have been so clearly shown.
Don't you wonder how far it is to the shore? Sometimes I do….
Hey Mrs. Elaine:) I do see where there is a need to go into the world and make disciples. I also see where my baby will be the closest person to me other than my related fam to witness to, and pray that the Lord saves! Thoughtful post Mrs. Elaine:)
Blessings to you, Love in HIM, ((HUGS)),
katiegfromtennessee
We had a great fishing expedition this weekend. We had our grandkids and two neighbor kids over the entire weekend. And because the neighbor kids were here, we included them in our 'God' time yesterday morning. They come from a broken home, and don't know much about God. After we watched a worship video and prayed, one of the girls was so excited she started clapping!
And then our son had us all over for dinner last night (during half-time, of course). He cooked up some scrumptious fish that he caught that morning. So I guess you could say we were fishers of men and fishers of fish!
Such a thought provoking post.
Elaine, these are some fresh words today… and relevant.
Just about 15 minutes ago I threw my net over the side… there is a young pastor's wife at my church who longs to be a writer… and is blogging… but is questioning it all… and this "old" fisherman is casting out her mentoring net… although I have never mentored (officially) I feel the Lord saying… you cast your net, Sheri.
God is continually showing me how my blogging is not an end to the means… it is the means to the ends.
Much love and care!
Yes, my net has been thrown. My blog comments on my posts reveal the answer to the questions. If there's one life blessed along the journey then God is glorified and honored. Thank You Father God for using Elaine for this great fishing lesson today. In Jesus' name, amen.
Sometimes I think you are my conscience… once again on a Monday your focal story is the same story I taught my sunday schoolers. And what a great story and message it is.
great post.
Very thought provoking post, as always. Right now, all I desire is just time on the beach with my Lord. My life, as I knew it, came to a halt in March of last year when I quit my job to tend to the selling of Dad's house and I've been his 24/7 caregiver ever since. I made the difficult decison with much Joy and expectation. But I never imagined it this way. I feel selfish with my desire to sit with my LOrd rather than put my mind and body to the given task of fishing. Maybe I should be on the boat with the other disciples, but today, I don' t have the strength to go fishing. Today, I need to get out of the boat and break bread with my redeemer.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom today.
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Elaine:
This is very convicting and thought provoking, as always. I really loved your hubby's comments too. So many times we just don't 'feel' like fishing…
I also loved your reminder that whatever was said to 'them' in the Bible… He is saying to us!
Oh boy…. I think I need to get my net on the other side of the boat… again.
Thanks for the good word…
Elaine,
This message required a double reading for it's just that powerful. I even forwarded the link to myself to read it again.
Thank you for speaking, sharing His truths and having a heart for JESUS. Your message and your hubby's words challenge and I thank you. I thank GOD.
You have my love and prayers…
What a thought-provoking teaching, Elaine. Sure hope to keep these questions and thoughts in mind — I want to be fishing on the right side of the boat!
Hmmm…where is He calling ME? I need to row a little harder and get closer to the shore to hear His voice…
I love this post. I read it twice. Billy's comment is powerful, too. You two should write a book together!
Hugs,
Beth
And God does not pick random numbers when He uses them in instances like this. As I understand from some commentaries that the 153 fish represented 153 nations that were in existence at that time… thus when He says "Go…and make disciples of all nations" – it was those 153 fish that represented those very nations of 'all people' at that time.
So yes, we can ask ourselves now, "who are our 'nations' [fish]?" We too are to be fishers of men and make disciples who make disciples who make disciples…
This is a NOW Word- that should jump off the page to each of us!
Choosing JOY, Stephanie
I so enjoyed reading this tonight. I'd written about The Breakfast today, too, so I was so eager to see how God was speaking to you. Isn't it amazing how the Scripture is so rich that we can each find something entirely different in the reading of it? Incredible….
Now, I ponder your question about the net. I sense that I'm to cast the net as we seek our next steps in our church. We have some looming decisions ahead of us, and trust that Christ will lead our "fishing expedition."
Thanks for another great post.
elaine, thank you for the inspiring devotional. i am
so happy to find a devotional blog.
thank you for visiting my 'mommy' blog!
oh sorry, i didn't see your questions the first time
around.
believe it or not, i think He told me to blog. my children have all left home and i have so much in
my heart to tell young moms.
Thanks, Elaine, for the thoughtful song. It was a beautiful invitation to come ashore. I watched & listened then closed my eyes and listened again – picturing myself walking along the beach with my LOrd.
Blessings
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Hi Elaine. Quite a challenging article. In fact, yesterday I felt as if I was letting go of my net and move ashore. But…the Lord is being nudging me by His Spirit to move into the deeper waters. Your article is so, so timely. I need fish and I will cast my net with you. Blessings as always,
Gladwell
I am hearing God tell me to cast my net in a specific direction. As I continue to listen to Him, I am beginning to trust and believe that He is faithful and will not lead me to an empty net but a net that overflows and begins to break as I cast my nets where He tells me to.
God has been telling a certain direction to cast my net for the last 1 1/2 years and I finally began to listen to him about 6 months ago. May I continue to "push out in the deep water" to cast my net exactly where, when and how He tells me to.
Thank you for sharing this powerful piece. I need to get out of familiar waters and listen to the Lord as He leads.
hi again!
thank you for your wise comments on my blog. i
really appreciate the help and the young mommies
will be richer for your input!
blessings!
Inspiring post. My net is out and waiting to see where God is leading it…it is unknown..but as I posted today…it means a breath of faith and trust in Him.
blessings my friend
"Questions are God’s way of casting his reel and rod into the depths of our hearts and minds so that we might further probe them for an honest answer."
Wow…reel me in Lord…I am ready to cast on the right side…I've heard Your voice…and the words of others have only confirmed what my heart already knows….