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1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 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. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:1-11 NIV)
Dear Friend, Happy Monday! Easy for me to say, right? Regardless of what may seem insurmountable, Jesus is with you and we will overcome anything and everything that may come our way. Mr. Ronnie Menking had a good surgery on Friday and we pray that by this reading he be in a rehabilitation center. Please pray for his recovery and wellbeing.
When Jesus shows up, things can change. When we invite Jesus, He shows up. If Jesus speaks, we need to listen. And if Jesus says to act, we need to act on whatever it was that Jesus wants us to do. I invited Jesus into my heart when I was an eight years old. Jesus became my Lord and Savior. I wish I could say that I became the perfect boy; straight-A's, perfect attendance, perfect citizenship (remember that report card word? It was used to say how well you got along with others), and the perfect son. It really meant the joyous attitude of worship and praise was with me and started to enjoy being in church and Sunday school and all activities of the church; which came in handy, because my father was a "If-the-church-doors-are-open-we-are-there" man. My church friends became like brothers and sisters and I even talked to my parents about making me able to be in church Monday through Friday, and I could attend regular 3-Rs school the rest of the days. But the day came when Jesus wanted more. I was now in the eleventh grade struggling to figure out what my true calling might be. I knew that I would make my family greatly proud if I became a doctor, but the minor obstacle called high school Chemistry made that a difficult decision. I also had heard that one could decide such major decisions while in college. College and getting into one would be the first choice. I was still walking in shallow water. I could see the deep water from where I stood, but I wasn't quite there yet.
Shallow water is a comfortable spot for most people. For me, going to church was fun, going to school was a little fun, but I was doing well and going to college would be a viable option.In the midst of a mundane, exhausting task, Simon Peter encountered an epiphany—an unexpected revelation that would forever change the course of his life. He had been fishing all night and caught nothing. Yet when Jesus spoke, Simon obeyed. The result? A miraculous catch of fish that seemed impossible. In that moment, Simon saw not just the abundance of fish, but the authority of the one who had spoken.
It’s in this miraculous moment that Simon's eyes were opened—not just to Jesus' power, but to his own sinfulness. "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" Simon’s epiphany wasn’t just about the miracle in front of him, but about the holiness of Jesus and the brokenness of his own heart.
Jesus, with grace and compassion, didn't dismiss Simon's fear. Instead, He offered a new calling: "Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people." Jesus was inviting Simon, not just to experience the miracle of the catch, but to enter into the greater mission—bringing others to Him, sharing the good news of God’s kingdom.
Like Simon, we often find ourselves in the midst of life’s routine, thinking we’re doing all we can but feeling like we’re coming up empty. It is in these moments of frustration that Jesus calls us to trust Him—to go into deeper waters, to let down our nets in faith. And sometimes, in these moments of surrender, we experience an epiphany: God is not just present in our lives but is inviting us into His mission.
What is God calling you to let go of? What deep waters is He inviting you to trust Him in? This epiphany, like Peter’s, is not just for a moment, but for a lifetime of following Jesus wherever He leads.
PRAYER: Loving God, Thank You for revealing Yourself to us in ways that change our lives. Like Simon, we often find ourselves exhausted, frustrated, and unaware of Your presence in the midst of our daily struggles. Open our eyes, Lord, to the deeper truths You have for us. Show us where You are calling us to trust You, to step into deeper waters, and to follow Your lead, even when it feels uncertain. Forgive us when we doubt, when we rely on our own strength, and when we miss the opportunity to be part of Your mission. May we, like Simon Peter, leave behind our own agenda to follow You faithfully, wherever You lead. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Reflect on the areas in your life where God may be calling you to trust Him more deeply. What “deep waters” is He inviting you into? Whether it’s in relationships, your work, or your spiritual walk, choose to let go of fear and step into God’s calling for you. Ask Him to help you see with new eyes, like Simon, and be ready to follow where He leads.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
