Other Side

John 21:6 “Then he said, ‘Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!’ So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.”

The disciples had fished all night with no luck.  They’d thrown out their nets and been unsuccessful in catching even the tiniest brim.  But why?  These were some experienced men of the sea… they were used to pulling in thousands.  What could have possibly caused this lack of success?  

It was pretty simple.  The net was on the wrong side.

Sometimes we fish for things with our nets on the wrong side, too.  

Some are fishing for the right mate in a sea filled with wrong people.  Some are seeking God’s blessing in a life filled with disobedience.  Others confess that they want to share their faith, but only hang around other Christians.  

Sometimes it requires moving the boat.   Most of the time, it’s simply a matter of putting your net on the right side… on the side Jesus instructs us to put it on. 

Want a Godly relationship?  Cast your net among those that honor God with their lives.  Christ tells us in His word that bad company corrupts good character (1 Cor. 15:33).  Too many are looking for deep-water fish in canals.  

Want God’s blessings?  Cast your net into the river of generosity and servanthood.  When we give of our time, talent, and resources… God blesses our efforts.  Too many are asking God to give His stamp of approval on life plans He had no part in creating.

Want others to know about Christ?  Cast your net right where you are.  There are plenty excuses to stay silent… dare to be bold… tell others (starting with those that share your last name).  You may not have all the answers… and you may not be a Bible expert… but God has done something big in your life.  Share it.  And if the nets come back empty the first time…don’t quit.  Keep casting them out on the right side… and big things will happen.  

Ready to go fishing?  Cast away!

Not Just a Feeling

An Ethiopian folk tale tells of a wife’s determination to save her marriage.  The story goes that a couple was having relationship trouble... so the wife goes to a judge and says she needs help.  The judge tells her that he has a magic medicine that will solve her problem.  However, the main ingredient is a hair from a lion’s tail.  Loving her husband, the desperate woman agrees and goes out to acquire the hair.  Day after day she stalks a lion waiting for her opportunity.  Finally, one day she snatches the hair and races back to the judge...eager for the tonic that will save her marriage.  The judge tells her... “that was a very brave thing you did... it took determination, patience, resolve, and courage.  There is no magical potion.  Instead of looking for the quick fix... demonstrate those same things in your relationship... and I promise it will get better.”

Marriage is wonderful.  But I have yet to see one that hasn’t required hard work, compromise, understanding, forgiveness, and honesty to thrive.  If you’re having trouble... don’t scour the bookstore or the internet for a shortcut.  Reinvest your time in what built your bond from the start.  As 1st Corinthians 13 tells us, love isn’t just a feeling... it’s a commitment.  And when energy is spent on reinforcing that commitment rather than regretting it... great things can happen. 

Gain the World?

I read of a man in England who spent seven years on a 5000 piece jigsaw puzzle.  Eighty-six year old retiree Jack Harris started the five foot tall puzzle just after Christmas of 2002 and for many years meticulously worked at putting it together.  Sadly, at the end of his journey... after 4999 pieces were placed in their exact spots... the puzzle could not be completed.  The tiny hole in the middle of the puzzle revealed that a piece was missing.

This brought a powerful scripture to mind... Mark 8:36 “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?”  So many people live their whole life building wealth... putting together success... acquiring possessions... and come to the end of it without the most important piece:  a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Their picture is incomplete... and as a result they spend eternity separated from Him.   Maybe you know someone who’s working on their puzzle and needs that missing part... be bold!  Share the amazing news of salvation with them... and turn what could be tragic into something triumphant.  

Experience

It has been said, “The only thing more painful than learning from experience is not learning from experience.”  A very true statement.  In fact, what we gain from our past is vital to future success.  The Bible calls this wisdom... and it’s not as hard to attain as one might think.  It’s simply a matter of intentionality.  In Proverbs 3, it says: ““Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”  

Want more wisdom?  Want to make better decisions?  Rather than just “getting past”  your challenges, briefly go back and look for the lesson in them.  Once you find one... store it away.  You never know when what seems meaningless now will become priceless in a future situation.  Once applied, these bits of wisdom help others and at the same time put meaning and perspective to our trials.  

Leading Them Back

It may seem hard to believe, but the United States average high-school dropout rate is 25%.  1 in 4 students decide to leave before they finish.   The question is… what is happening to stop this trend?  What are schools doing to pursue those that want to call it quits?

The church faces a similar situation.  People coming to the end of their faith and deciding that they just want to walk away from a God who seemingly doesn’t care.  So what’s being done?  What is the family of God supposed to do when one of their own drifts away?  Pursue.  Lovingly… and with great passion… go after those that have lost their way.  Scripture tells us in Matthew 18:12 "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?”  We are to go after the lost…the disillusioned…the confused…the broken…and the hurt.  They may be looking to drop out… and it’s that very time that God commands us to step in.  Sometimes all someone needs is the reassurance that things will get better…and that God still cares.  Know someone who’s walked away?  Today…without hesitation…start the process of leading them back.   Both of you will be better for it. 

Sweetness

The other day I read an interesting fact about honey.  Did you know that germs cannot live in honey because it’s too sweet?   It’s true.  The sugar in the honey causes the water part of the bacteria to evaporate… thus killing the bad germ.  Similarly, that’s why jellies can be put into jars and kept indefinitely without fear of contamination. It’s the sugar… the sweetness.. that makes all the difference.  

As we think about our world today,  many would tell you that the way to deal with the corruption and evil is to seek revenge.  After all, if we are wronged… they have it coming.  We hurt… they should hurt.  However, scripture tells us differently.  In fact, we are told in Luke 6 that we should “return good for evil”  and in Proverbs 16:24… that it is gracious words (like a honeycomb) that brings “healing to the bones”.  God says when the world wants to sour us… reply with kindness.  Turn the other cheek.  Extend the olive branch.  Allow God’s sweetness in our heart to drive out the bitterness of what the flesh might want us to do.   It may not be our first reaction…. but the more often we choose it… the closer to Christ we will be.

Driving

I was talking with Steph a few days ago about my driving.  She says it’s… how should I say this…not my greatest strength.  I’m not that bad!  My hands may not be at 10 and 2 all the time  but I keep the car on the road and get us where we need to go safely!  It’s funny how things work.  Just after we finished chatting about my driving, I ran across this story about a woman and her unusual driving choices… 

On a dark Friday evening, Prionda Hill made a choice.  She decided that she was going to release the wheel of her car and let God steer.  Literally.  She completely removed her hands from ten and two and told God to guide her vehicle through traffic.  The outcome was less than ideal.   A motorcyclist by the name of Anthony Oliveri was the unfortunate victim of Prionda’s decision.  He later told police that when he saw the car coming directly toward him, the only thing he thought was  “This is the day I die.”   Fortunately, he didn’t.  While his injuries were serious, Anthony survived that crash… and Prionda is now facing several serious charges.  

Is that how God operates?  Does He tell us to completely remove our hands from the wheels of our lives?  Is He apt to recommend that we just “let it go?”  Many would say yes.  We say “Jesus… you do it!”  or “God… he/she’s all yours…”  But is that Biblical?  Does God tell us to release total control and let Him do it?  Is “Let Go and Let God” legit?  

No.  In fact the Bible says just the opposite.   2 Timothy 2:3 tells us to “Endure hardship…”  Ephesians 6:11 tells us to “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand…” Finally, 1 Peter 1:7 says that our trials reveal our level of faith.   

Our challenges strengthen us.  They burn away what doesn’t belong and reveal our toughness.  What we see as pain… God is using for our eventual good.  We read many times in scripture that Jesus promises to never leave us in our struggles… that He wants us to persevere through them… and why?  Because they are the very things that will cause us to build faith muscle that we will need later in life.  So the next time you feel like just letting God do it… don’t. Keep both hands on the wheel… and God will put His nail-scarred hands on top of yours… and help guide you through the traffic to your destination.