At thy word, I will let down the net.

What comes to mind when Jesus says, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”?

When I thought about this scripture today, I thought about how things in clear deep water are distorted looking at them from the surface of the water. If you reach down and try to grab a fish, it’s hard to know precisely where to place your hand.

The same holds true when stepping out in the world to accomplish any task. If you put effort into what you are trying to accomplish and throw yourself at a task without the Holy Spirit’s guidance, you may end up toiling in the world, accomplishing little for yourself or God’s Kingdom. However, if you seek guidance and allow the Spirit to flow through you as you approach the small and the enormous tasks in life, your nets or your works can spread far and wide, accomplishing great things for God’s Kingdom.

I often look around and notice people doing so many things at once with no clear direction.

Sometimes doing one thing guided by the Spirit is far more valuable than completing a dozen harried tasks. Can you imagine what it would feel like to hear Jesus directly and cast your net out at the exact time he commanded because you heard for his command and direction in your life? You so abundantly capture your dreams that your net breaks, and you are overflowing with joy and happiness. That’s when you know that your dreams have become Jesus’ dreams, and Jesus’ dreams have become yours.

So how does one dive into the deep waters in a scary world and be not afraid? I want to suggest leaving everything at Jesus’ feet. Empty yourself of sin, regrets, and secrets, giving it all to God. It lifts a weight that allows one to tread longer in the deepwater, accomplishing the work at hand.

And when you tire, luckily there are some other fisher’s of men in the next boat over to help out. Thank Heaven for a community of Christians to help keep one another afloat.

At thy word, I will let down the net

Amy Jean Blog -Let Down the Net - Fishermen on the water at sunset

Luke 5:1-11 King James Version (KJV)


5 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

3 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.

4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

5 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.

6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Photo by Steinar Engeland on Unsplash