When do we have enough to walk away?
I read in Luke 5 today, about Jesus telling the soon-to-be-disciples to cast their fishing nets on the other side of the boat. When they followed his advice, they brought in more fish than they could have possibly imagined… and then they quit fishing.
“…he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.
…And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.”
I’ve gotten into the pattern of thinking that God gives us great gifts so we can remain in that position. A pay raise, making that huge sale, finally crossing that task off our to-do list – they’re all reasons to press forward, right? …Maybe the blessing isn’t the point. It could be that He’s allowing us to see a glimpse of what could be – if we would only take our eyes off of ourselves long enough to see it.
Maybe the material blessings we experience are only to put some context to God’s power and to free us from depending on anything other than Him. And that makes me wonder if I’m using this glimpse as a gateway to sit at Jesus’ feet or of freedom to as an excuse gain more “gifts”?
Just a random thought on my Monday morning.
