Apr. 21- NDS- Discouraged People

Next Door Savior by Max Lucado


"Discouraged People" Luke 5:1-11


Today's reading resonated with me.  When Kristi and I started attending church on a regular basis, I was one of those "it's too late" people Max describes in this chapter.  I allowed myself to focus on the years I had wasted in nonservice to the Lord.  The countless hours wasted either in sinful pasttimes, or at least Kingdom neutral activities loomed large in my mind.  At times I felt a bit like Saul- raised in the church, Vacation Bible Schools, Training Union, church camps, but still persecuting God with my thoughts, words and deeds. It was actually easier to give up that lifestyle than to relinquish the self-accusatory mindset.  Easier to control the body than the mind.  Slowly I have allowed Christ to show me that the past is just that- past.  There are many ways I can serve the Kingdom- ESL classes, door shaker on Wednesday nights.  Humble service, not look-at-me activities.  Quiet obedience as opposed to how-cool-am-I positions.  Finally I have realized service to God is about just that- service TO God.  Not glory for me.


Like Max points out from the passage in Luke, for Jesus, "it's too late" is not an acceptable excuse as long as we are on this side of the dirt.  Maybe certain windows of opportunity are closed, but that doesn't mean we cannot serve the Kingdom in other ways.  God does not write off individuals.  


Max mentions on page 37 that Peter's obedience in letting down the nets after a futile night of fishing was admirable.  An indeed it was this obedience that was the key to Peter's full net.  However, Peter's obedience started before the casting of the net.  He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. (v. 3 NIV)  Peter was willing to allow Jesus to use his possessions, his business asset, his "stuff".  At this point, Peter was not a disciple of Jesus.  Perhaps he was had followed Jesus' ministry.  Peter knew about this remarkable rabbi.  But he still allowed Jesus to use his boat to further the kingdom.


I see three lessons on obedience in this reading.
1.  Being obedient is first and foremost.  No matter how mundane- Let Me borrow your boat for a few minutes, to the laughable- give the nets one more try even if you have met with failure the past 65 times.
2.  With Jesus, all things are possible.  Peter's night of fishing sans Christ were empty.  Just like my life was empty w/out Jesus in the boat.  However, as soon as Jesus was directing Peter's fishing, his nets were full.
3.  Not all acts of obedience will lead to immediate "full nets".  Peter's first act of allowing Jesus to preach from his boat, did nothing to fill Peter's net with fish.  Not one minnow was added to Peter's stringer as a result of this first act.  HOWEVER, if it were not for this initial act of obedience, I believe the full nets we see later would not have happened.

Obedience to God should not be out of an expectation of reward.  Our obedience should come out of love for and trust in our Lord and Savior.  If He chooses to fill out nets materially as a result, so be it.  More often than not we may not see our "full obedience nets" this side of heaven.