Friday, May 20

Ready? Set! Jump!


“I’m going out to fish,” Peter calls over his shoulder to the other disciples.

“We’re coming, too!” came the unified response.

The sudden afternoon storm subsided. The roiling waters now stilled to a soothing pulse of gentle waves lap against the pebbly shoreline as if tapping a coded message, enticing the men to the secret bounty of the sea’s depth.

Jumping onboard the fishing boat, the men set out on the Sea of Tiberias.

As the sun slowly slides behind the western hills, it spins out threads of red, orange, and gold against the azure sky as the crystal blue waters glisten with mirrored hills.

While the dark hours pass, the men cast their nets over and over upon the water, each time coming up empty-netted. Disappointed, they head back.

As night bows to dawn, wisps of pink, blue, and violet blush across the sky as a pale haze hangs over the surface of the sea.

Just as their boat draws close to shore, a man’s voice calls out to the men, “Did you catch anything?”

“No,” is their discouraged reply.

“Throw out your net on the right side of the boat, and you’ll catch some!” yells the man.

Although somewhat baffled, the men throw out their net. It splashes on the water’s surface and sinks. Within minutes, they can barely draw in the net; it is filled to capacity with a multitude of fish.

As the impact of the miracle confronts them, John turns to Peter and blurts out, “It is the Lord!”

Hearing this, Peter whips around, puts on the outer garment he had removed earlier, steps onto the edge of the boat, and takes a flying leap into the water. Headstrong Peter, the waterboy!

The others jump into the skiff and head for shore, dragging the net-full of fish with them.

On the shore, bending over a bed of coals, Jesus pokes at the simmering fish and bread and says to them, “Come and have some breakfast.”

As the men gather around the fire, Jesus breaks the bread and shares it with the disciples; then passes out the fish. Once again, serving up the miracle of the loaves and fishes. A pleasant and loving surprise.

During a night of fruitless struggling, toiling under our own efforts, we will always come up empty-handed. When the Lord gives us a command, and we immediately obey, He meets us at the break of morn with a fresh supply of His unfailing love, as scripture says, “The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.” (Lam. 3:22-23 Good News Translation)

Doesn’t that bless you? God will always shower His love and mercy on us, filling our empty nets when we cast them upon the depths of His Word.

Become aware of the Lord’s voice and heed the Master’s call. When you dive out of the boat of self-effort, you will find provision ready and waiting, a foretaste of heaven’s table to fulfill your hunger, whether physical or spiritual...or both. He will break the bread and pass out the fish to you as rewards.

He waits on the shore for you to come to Him. As Bruce Wilkinson says in the Secrets of the Vine, “Are you standing precariously at a launching point in your life? Do you hear a voice calling? It is the Lord. I hope you jump.”

May you launch out and jump in the waters of obedience; Jesus is waiting for you with a sweet surprise!

Ready? Set! Jump!



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10 Responses
  1. Love this, Lynn. I want to know Him so well that I jump without thinking.


  2. lynnmosher Says:

    Oh, gosh, Sandra! Me, too! Me, too! Thanks, sweetie! Be blessed! :D


  3. Yes, I agree with Sandra!


  4. lynnmosher Says:

    Hey, Kristin! Thanks so much, sweetie! So glad to see your smiling face! Blessings to you!


  5. Great post again Lynn! What a great word picture of Jesus waiting onshore for us after we've exhausted ourselves. Love the scripture reference from Lamentations too - one of my favorites! There's nothing better than broiled fish and fresh baked bread!

    I have a new blog post as well - "Are You Making a Mountain Out of a Mole Hill?"

    Be blessed,


  6. lynnmosher Says:

    Thanks so much, Deborah! Am over at your place commenting! Blessings to you!


  7. Beautiful story. Can you imagine the delight to see someone you thought you had lost? I'd jump too!


  8. lynnmosher Says:

    Ceci, I know! Woo-hoo! Wouldn't that be great? Thanks so much, sweetie, for stopping by! Blessings to you!


  9. I find myself much like Peter. When he was frustrated with waiting for Jesus, he heads off to do his own thing. I've had those times of frustration, when it seemed that Jesus was delayed, and went off in my own direction. Praise HIM who finds us and calls to us again and again. Be where Jesus is, even if it means a swim through the waters of discouragement, and find HIS great love waiting on shore with a blessing and restoration.


  10. lynnmosher Says:

    Rev, I am so honored to have you visit. It always blesses me to hear from you. Thanks so much! Blessings to you!