If you say so

When he finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Push the boat out further to the deep water, and you and your partners let down your nets for a catch’. ‘Master’, Simon answered, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ They let them down and caught such a large number of fish that the nets were about to break. (verses 4-6)

Read Luke 5:1-11

My friend Malcolm can fix anything; he’s responsible for maintenance at a manufacturing company. So if a tap needs fixing or a switch in a fluorescent light needs replacing I’ll take his advice anytime about how to go about it. ‘Whatever you say, Malcolm.’ I know that if I follow his directions the end result will be good.

You can have the same confidence in following Jesus’ directions. Wherever he sends you, whatever he tells you to do, it will be the right thing for you. It mightn’t always make sense at the time, but the end result will always be good. He knows what he’s doing. You can trust him. ‘If you say so, I’ll do it.’

But if you’re going to do what Jesus says, be ready for some big surprises. He doesn’t just make things turn out well for you, he makes them turn out far better than you could ever have imagined.

Let’s do what Jesus says. Follow his directions. And be ready for some big surprises.

Jesus, show me where you want me to go and what you want me to do. Make me ready to trust you and to follow your directions. Amen.

by John Pfitzner, in ‘God’s Promises for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1999)

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