Luke 5:1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

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What does this teach us?  Even through our best efforts, even if our motives are correct, if we don’t wait on the Lord to direct our path and instruct us in what we do, our fruitfulness will be minimal at best.  But if we start each day seeking His word, His Spirit to instruct us, we can be assured that our efforts will not be in vain.

What else does it teach us?  Sometimes the Lord asks us to do something that makes zero sense to us.  But scripture is full of such examples, Noah being a prime one.   We must train ourselves to hear His voice and obey- whether or not our brains agree with His instruction.  He is always right!

Herein lies yet another reason to grow in the awareness of when He is speaking to us.   He promises we will hear His voice.  He doesn’t lie.

Today let this serve as a reminder for us to start each day with a prayer of surrender to His will for every moment of life He chooses to give us.

Let us seek His kingdom first, above all else, and give Him permission to interrupt our plans whenever He chooses.

Lord,

Please direct our paths.  Cause us to never miss it- the things You’ve chosen for us to do today.  We surrender our lives to You, our schedule to You, our moments to You.   Lead us to do this fresh every morning, Father.

Give us ears to hear, eyes to see.   Train us to hear Your voice.  Lord, grant us the desire to surrender to obedience no matter how much sense it makes or doesn’t.

We love you, Lord.  We believe that no matter what You call us to do, Your motives are right and pure.   We trust You to lead and guide.   We trust that as we are obedient, we will come to know You more and Lord, that is our heart’s desire.

Amen