because you say so...

Still on a bit of a discipleship kick… this week in our quiet times, our small group is looking at how/when the disciples were first called (hence the Andrew tangent yesterday). Today I’ve been reading about Peter…

We learn in the gospel accounts that Peter is a man who reacts emotionally.  He has extreme highs and extreme lows based on the most current thing happening.  (Relate much?!) After a long, unproductive day fishing he is definitely having a low moment. Fishing is how he provides for his family.  It was his livelihood and pride, so not catching even one little minnow was super discouraging. He’s so frustrated and annoyed (maybe even a little ashamed) that he sulks on the shore cleaning his fishing nets while Jesus is talking with and teaching the crowd that has gathered.  I can relate, when I’m in a bad mood I tend to isolate myself and keep Jesus at a distance too.

Jesus isn’t intimidated by our bad moods, though. He wants to meet us right in the middle of them.  After teaching Jesus goes straight to Peter and tells him to try again.  Peter’s response is twofold. First, he gives a pity-party kind of excuse that they’ve already tried and it’s a hopeless situation.  But the second part of his response is a seemingly 180- he says, “But because you say so, I’ll do it.”  In one sentence such a mix of doubt and faith! This wasn’t Peter’s first encounter with Jesus, but it is the first time we see a tiny seed of faith in him. In this moment, Peter recognizes the power behind the words of the Lord and decides to obey even if it is hard and doesn’t make any sense.  It reminds me of the words of Romans 4:18- "Against all hope, [he] in hope believed..."

Jesus uses Peter’s small act of faith to show him His great power. They end up hauling in so many fish that it almost sinks not one, but TWO, fishing boats.  While it’s an amazing account, the danger in stories like these of God’s incredible provision is that we get suckered into the idea of a “prosperity gospel.”  Suddenly God becomes a genie of sorts where if we believe enough, then He will heap on us loads of material wealth and blessings. This mentality is not consistent with the rest of scripture though. I can’t give you an answer to why some believers live in persistent poverty, or why God doesn’t allow for healing in some who struggle with disease, or why life seems like one hard-knock after another despite how much we pray… but I DO know that despite the apparent circumstances, God is still ABLE and He is still GOOD.  God’s blessings aren’t always in tangible, obvious ways like being rescued from a storm, but sometimes in the more subtle ways like having peace, perseverance and joy in the midst of the storm.

When Peter got to the shore with his abundance of fish, he was cut to the heart and fell to his knees. He recognized that he in no way deserved this goodness from Jesus. That’s where it always has to start- with humility and awe. When we are at THAT place, then we are teachable and usable. Jesus told Peter to pick himself up and called him to a new purpose in life. I'm willing to bet that Peter was pretty stoked he decided to listen to what Jesus said and throw out his net one more time...

May we all be bold enough to respond to God’s prompts with faith and obedience rather than pity-parties and excuses… and may we recognize His goodness and power despite the circumstances that surround us…