The Tugboat Captain
But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him." (Luke 5:8-11)
I met a young man this week who is studying to be a tugboat captain. I asked him where and he answered, "Places in Louisiana." Where? I asked. He replied, "Towns you've probably never heard of," to which I said, Try me. "Houma," he said.
"I know it. I've been through it going to Grand Isle by car to fish in the old canals built by oil companies." Before long, I was sharing stories of my youth and young adult years fishing the Texas and Louisiana coast and delta below New Orleans, and he, being a native to West Texas, was talking with excitement about this new world opened up to him by his new career. Fishing, when done by someone who knows the area, is enjoyable.
Christ convinces Peter of His expertise by encouraging him to try one more time, this time go out a little deeper. I've had a similar experience with a man I've talked about in devotions named Juergan. Juergan knew Port O'Connor and the Matagorda Bay system very well, and he knew exactly what to read and learn how and what the fish were biting. Juergan was well-versed in fishing the Texas coast. Like Peter, Juergan was a master fisherman, but he listened to expertise as well.
If Juergan said, "They are hitting (name the bait here) in the shallows near the lighthouse (Matagorda Bay)," you can bet there was no hesitance to follow his instructions. Peter offers an excuse to Christ, but goes ahead anyway and brings in a haul so great it tore the nets. After the experience, Peter falls to his knees and like Isaiah earlier this week, confesses he is unworthy, a sinful man.
Christ, however, sees something in Peter that Peter doesn't just yet. Christ sees what Peter has within Him and knows He wants Peter for even greater things, like God the Father saw in Isaiah.
What's Christ see in you? What potential is there that has gone untapped? What has been your excuse? Unworthy? Sinful? Past too great to overcome and be useful to God? Let us remind ourselves that some of God's greatest achievements have been working through men (and women) with checkered pasts. Moses, David and Paul all murdered. There are adulterers, thieves, liars, and people of ill-repute all throughout Christ's family tree. There are infidels, people not of God's people. God saw something within each one of them, as did His Son, choosing a fine lot of men like fishermen, tax collectors, and others including a murderer (Paul).
God's Word, when delivered, is powerful. It converts and transforms even the worst among us, sinners all. God's Word, when in the hands of men, can spread like a spark that creates a huge fire with the Spirit's power.
What's Christ see in each of us, common men all? He sees something.
Pray with me: God, Help me to see Your plan in my life. Help me to not offer excuses, but strengthen me with Your Spirit so that I, like other sinners you've charged with tasks, can make a difference in the lives of people I know, or those I'll never know, and those I've yet to meet but will know. In Christ's name, Amen.