Obedience takes determination……….

“Once when he was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, the crowd was pushing in on him to better hear the Word of God. He noticed two boats tied up. The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets. He climbed into the boat that was Simon's and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Sitting there, using the boat for a pulpit, he taught the crowd.

When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch."

Simon said, "Master, we've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I'll let out the nets." It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.

Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. "Master, leave. I'm a sinner and can't handle this holiness. Leave me to myself." When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee's sons, coworkers with Simon.

Jesus said to Simon, "There is nothing to fear. From now on you'll be fishing for men and women." They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.”  Luke 5:1-11 Message Bible

It is interesting to note that Jesus does not ask Peter whether or not he feels like casting the nets once more. Peter then feels compelled to explain to Jesus that they had been fishing all night and had not caught a thing.

It took about two seconds for Peter to come out with his next response, “BUT if you say so we’ll try again.”  I’m sure there was something inside of Peter that wanted to know how they were possibly going to catch fish in the middle of the day.  He knew full well that if they had not caught any at night then for sure they would not catch anything in the day.

Maybe he wanted to prove Jesus wrong or maybe he wanted to believe that Jesus just might be this Messiah they had been waiting for all these years. He chooses to be obedient and see what happens when you follow directions from Christ.

What Peter and the other fishermen would learn that day is a valuable truth for you and me.  Doing what God asks does not always make sense and it’s not always logical, it takes trust and faith.

Obedience will always be the best course of action, regardless of whether you know what the outcome will be or not.

When these guys put their nets in the boat, go out to where Jesus instructs and throw the nets in. Low and behold the nets come up bursting so much that they had to call the other boat to come and help them.

Obedience takes determination. You have to set aside yourself and commit yourself to choose Jesus, no matter what. Many things in this life will compete for your attention, but you must make an effort to concentrate on Jesus and trust that following His direction will be the most effective, important, and wise decision that you can make.

The disciples learned that it was not about their logic, fish in their nets, their ability to fish or the boat, it was all about Jesus.

Are you ready to determine today that you will listen to what Jesus has to say to you and be obedient?