“You Gotta Go Deeper” – Luke 5:1-11 – February 7. 2010
English statesman, Sir Walter Raleigh, attended a prestigious boarding school when he was a youth. He was an excellent student and he had a passion for being the best in his class. However, another youth always finished ahead of him. Raleigh was determined to find out what his colleague’s secret was so he watched from his bedroom window at night at the other dorm rooms across the grounds. Each night as he prepared for bed he noticed that a candle was still burning in his colleague’s dorm room. He watched several nights and discovered that the student who was always first studied about 15 minutes longer than he did. From then on, Sir Walter Raleigh studied an extra 20 minutes every night. By the end of the school year he was the number one student.
When you want to pursue a goal, make an improvement in yourself or enhance the quality of some group you belong too, you gotta make an extra effort. That is true in academics, sports, our professions and also our faith. To be closer to God, you gotta go deeper.
In our gospel lesson the disciples were not catching any fish. Jesus got into one of their boats belonging to Simon and asked him to move away from the shore. Then he told Simon to “Put out into the deeper water and let down your nets.” In other words, he was saying to Simon, you gotta go deeper. Just as Sir Walter Raleigh had to study longer at nights, Simon and his comrades had to go into deeper waters in order to enhance their faith. Catching fish really meant being disciples.
Simon had to leave his comfort zone and go where he’d never been. We get used to familiar areas, including friends, activities and places. Out of habit we stay within a specific arena where there are no surprises or challenges. We resist change and as a consequent we miss out on many exciting adventures.
A young man I know recently left is job and started a new career. For the first time in his life he left home and has taken a sales position in another city that is commission only. His family is worried that he has walked away from his security, especially a guaranteed weekly paycheck. But, he was not feeling fulfilled and believed he was not living up to his full potential. To be fulfilled he has made a decision to go deeper
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Simon was reluctant to go deeper at first because he was tired from working all day. He was exhausted from his labor. Just about everyone I know is tired after working all day. It’s not easy to come home and face the domestic chores of running a household or attending to the needs of children after a hard day’s work. It’s not easy to take a class a night or attend a meeting. We have to reach deep within ourselves to find that energy to go the extra mile.
Where do we find the energy to complete those tasks that are necessary for us to realize our goals? What did Simon do? First, he moved his boat into deeper waters. He had to go into territory he had never been. Secondly, he put his freshly cleaned nets back into the water. And third, he believed in Jesus’ words. “If you say so, I will let down my nets.” Since Jesus said it was what he needed to do, Simon did it. He whined a little at first, complaining of his hard day’s work, but in the end he trusted Jesus’ words.
Everyone complains now and then about the demands of life. I believe God hears our complaints. Jesus knew Simon had worked hard but he also knew he could do more. Within all of thus there is unrealized potential and God wants us to be fulfilled.
Of course, we know the rest of the story. There was a huge catch of fish. And, Simon was embarrassed at the results. He said to Jesus that he was a sinful man because he did not really believe that he would catch that many fish.
Sometimes we do leave our comfort zones and try new things, but do we really believe that amazing things can happen? Simon acted sincerely but deep down he was skeptical. But Jesus responded in love. Instead of saying “I told you so” or “Why don’t you believe me,” he comforted him and told him that in the future he would be catching people. He gave Simon encouragement and hope. Once again we hear those comforting words, “Do not be afraid.” When we go deep, God is with us. Even when we have doubts, God is with us.
Simon had learned an important lesson in being a disciple. You gotta go deeper and you make that plunge in faith. Good things can happen when we trust in the awesome power of God. Simon must have heard his words because he and the others followed.
Today many of you are going to watch the Super Bowl. One of two teams, the Indianapolis Colts or the New Orleans Saints, are going to win the championship. But, what does football have to do with Jesus and the fisherman?
One time there was a devoted mother who had a son but he was too small to play football. She was a widow and she had several children. She was devoted to keeping her family together. She worked several jobs doing menial tasks. Eventually she took an exam, passed it and became the chief bookkeeper for the city.
Her one son, though small, wanted to play football, but no major college would offer him a scholarship. He managed to play for a small college and did very well. His dream however was to play in the NFL. He tried out for the Pittsburg Steelers but did not make the cut. But, he held on to his dream. Rather than see himself as a victim of circumstances he believed in himself. He looked at other options, leaving his comfort zone and played in a league that paid him six dollars per game. He continued to stay in contact with NFL teams in hopes that he could someday play. After many months of trying he finally got the opportunity to try out for the Baltimore Colts and he made the team. His name? Johnny Unitas, one of the most famous quarterbacks in football history.
To be people of faith means you gotta go deeper. Leave your comfort zones, put out to unchartered waters and trust in God’s amazing power. Just as the fisherman got amazing results, so can we.
Dr. Keith Wagner