A Fishing Expedition

In the movie Risen, there's a scene toward the end where the disciples are out fishing. They fish all night, laboring and striving, coming up empty again and again. The next morning, hungry and exhausted and frustrated by the futility of their work, they see a man on the shore who asks whether they're having any luck... then suggests that they cast their net on the other side of the boat. As soon as they try it, the net fills up with more fish than they could've hoped for, and they know immediately that it was Jesus talking to them!

God deliberately worked that out so that they would catch nothing through their own efforts, but have more than they dreamed of when they moved in obedience to His Son. "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain..." ~Psalm 127:1

The lesson is clear and applies to all of us at one point or another. We get excited about something then rush out and try to make it happen in our own strength, which is exhausting and fruitless. All my time spent striving and searching to find another career path (or a Godly man, for that matter) has been in vain. The net keeps coming up empty, and I'm tired. So now I am determined not to make any big move without God's clear direction. I am slowing down and listening for His voice... and in the meantime, practicing godliness with contentment, embracing humility, drawing closer to God, and trusting Him to prepare and lead me in a way that will "fill the net" at the right time. I don't want to labor in vain and build something meaningless; I want a life built on Christ that makes an eternal difference! ...And it makes total sense that learning to seek Him every day and trust His heart toward me in the silent years is going to be more productive in the long run than another Google search for ministry-related jobs!  No good thing will He withhold from those who do what is right... 

"We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God." ~2 Corinthians 3:4-5

*I took these pics exactly 4 years and 2 days ago... Josh with T&C getting ready to go fishing. :) They make me happy, and they seem appropriate for a fishing-themed post!