Looking at what you are told to do a little differently.

Luke 5:3-5 (KJV) And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

In this scripture we see several points I want to bring out today. Firstly, Peter gives Jesus his boat. If you really look at this closely, Peter gave Jesus his livelihood. No boat-no fishing. No fishing-no money. The boat is a big deal. Most people wouldn't give their "means of making a living" to Jesus. Think about it. Would you give Jesus your car? Ok, let's say your answer was yes. How many of you use it to go pick up people to meet with Him on Sunday's? Yes, that's what I thought. But, look at what Jesus does in return; He tells Peter (Simon) instead of launching out a little, I want you to launch way out into the deep, and let down your nets.

Now, Jesus does not need a fish finder! Jesus is not going to tell us to do something for nothing. He is the ultimate good steward of time, energies and talents. Simon, has toiled all night. Simon is tired. He already let Jesus preach in his boat. It is probably lunch time by now. If as the word implies he 'toiled' all night, he is probably tired and hungry. Perhaps that is why he argues with Jesus? Seems Peter does not take instruction well either. Remember he argued with Jesus about going to the cross too?  Jesus referred to him literally as Satan, and said to him, "Satan get behind me", on one occassion. Our Simon Peter has some issues with taking instructions, and rebellion in the form of being argumentative. If he had not followed the instructions of Jesus, Simon Peter would have gone home empty handed. I know right? How many of us may have gone home empty handed because we failed to do what Jesus told us to do?

If we want abundance in our lives then we are going to have to launch out, and work a little harder, do a little more, yes? But, we also have to most importantly, just do what Jesus tells us to do. Why do we find it so hard to obey Jesus? I believe there are lots of reasons. Perhaps what He tells us to do seems illogical to our fallen minds? Perhaps, we are tired and already work a lot? Maybe we are just lazy? Or could it be that we have not washed our nets from the last time? Perhaps we do a half way job, just hoping to get by? All of these could be character issues. One thing I have learned is Jesus goes after our character. He loves us as we are, but refuses to leave us like we are! 

Action Step: When you are finished with a task, clean up after yourself and prepare for the next job. If Peter had not washed his nets, when Jesus told him to let them down for a catch--he would have been ill prepared! Then, obey what Jesus tells you to do. Sure, it may seem crazy, radical, illogical but to please Jesus it is going to take faith on our part! Finally, launch out!  Come on, get away from the shoreline and live life a little more dangerously. Life is supposed to be an adventure.