All That I Have
“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.”
Luke 5:3 (NIV)
I was uncomfortable. I was young, my house was small and these were grown successful adults! My church had asked my husband and I to lead a small group in our church. Lead a small group; why, some of these people were in their forties! What did we have to offer them? We had a sense that we were just a couple of warm bodies that were needed to fill a spot. We didn’t think that we were actually “called” or anything like that. We were simply being available.
The Lord used that “yes” early in our lives to teach us many things. To give what we had no matter how humble it was. To give what we had even if we felt our gift or even ourselves were inadequate. To give what we had even if we thought it wouldn’t make a difference.
Talking to scores of people near a lake shore, the crowd was getting so heavy it literally pushed him into the water. Thinking quickly on his feet, Jesus hopped into the nearest fishing boat and asked the owner to push off just a bit. Then, He began his message to the crowd. What did Simeon think, “I’ve been up all night fishing. I am really ready to head home and call it a day. I can’t believe he is using my boat without asking!” or he could have been thinking, “What an amazing opportunity! I have heard of this Jesus and now here He is in my very own boat teaching! What a great day!” We don’t really know; the Bible doesn’t let us in on Simeon thoughts at this point. We do know that later on that day, Simeon gives up his lively hood of fishing for slimy, stinking cold-blooded, aquatic vertebrates to fishing for the souls of men. During that day, something transpired in the heart of Simeon. Could it have something to do with what he gave?
Giving to the Lord can be a gateway to new things; including new blessings in our lives. It may be giving of our time to His word and prayer. It may be giving of our finances to see more of His kingdom work being done. It may be a giving up part of ourselves; our comfort, our rights, our desires. Like Simeon, when we choose to give up – to give what we have to the Messiah – we will be transformed. Our lives will never be the same.
Is there something God has been putting his finger on in your life that He would like to use? That He would like to have? What is your “fishing boat”? Could it be that the Lord not only wants to transform you, but wants to take your offering and bless you as well?
As we head down from verse 3 in Luke 5, we see that when Jesus was done speaking, he said to Simeon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” As if Jesus didn’t already know that, Simeon informs him that they had already worked all night and caught nothing. Then he adds, “but because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Simeon seems to be struggling with doubt; yet he doesn’t allow that doubt to hold him back from obeying. The result: such a large number of fish that their nets began to break!
Friend, what is the Fisher of Men asking of you? Will you let Him “use your boat” and then see both blessing and transformation come into your life as a result? We would we like to hear what your boat is. Sharing your heart might just help someone to give over their boat as well! Just click on “comments” below.
Have an incredible weekend!
Lynn
PS If you have a teen girl, have them stop by RadRevolution . We’re having a great give away today! (Wish I could win!)
