So THAT’s Why!

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” – Luke 5:4

My last two posts dealt with my high school reunion, where I had hoped to find minds and hearts more open to the thought of eternity, especially after the recent deaths of some of our classmates. We’re all in our seventies now, and yet it seemed most of my peers are still focused on the present, or at times like reunions, the past, even as the future looms ahead, and the end is getting closer by the minute.

When I think of the future, I smile, even though I realize there’s not as much of this life ahead of me as there is behind, and what’s left will fly by faster than ever. It’s what comes after this life that gets me excited. I know I can’t possibly fathom what awaits believers in the Resurrection, but I know it’s going to be beyond wonderful.

I looked for opportunities to share my faith with my old friends, starting with the quote of the day: “Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end, the faster it goes.” I got a few chuckles, but precious few people were interested in continuing a conversation on that subject. Although undoubtedly for some people this would be their last reunion, it baffled me that so many of these septuagenarians seemed unconcerned and not the least bit curious about what comes next. I was aching to tell them about the hope that I have – that my Savior, who could be their Savior, too, has beaten death, has been raised to everlasting life, and has promised that same life to anyone and everyone who believes in Him. What could be a more exciting topic of conversation that that? And yet, as fast as they changed the subject, one would think that they’d prefer any other subject to that one.

(I was wishing I had worn my favorite t-shirt, the one that says, “If being a Christian is boring, you’re doing it wrong.”)

According to the women in my book study group, staunch Reformists, the people I tried to share the gospel with didn’t respond, because they were lost and literally couldn’t respond, not unless God was drawing them to Himself. So, saving them was up to God, not me. And what’s more, according to them, the Lord decided long ago who would be drawn to Him and who wouldn’t.

I thought, So, if that’s the case, why evangelize? Why pray for the lost, if I have no control over other people and it’s already been decided, anyway? The tenets of Calvinism, if true, weren’t much motivation for me to continue praying for people and talking to them about Jesus.

Last week as I was reading the gospel pf Luke, I was still trying to trust God in this matter, even though I didn’t clearly understand – which is the true test of faith, isn’t it? In chapter 5, Jesus had finished speaking to the crowds from Simon (Peter) and Andrew’s fishing boat. When He told Simon to put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch, Simon said something I could identify with completely that morning:

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.” (Luke 5:5) Boy, could I relate! But what followed brought tears to my eyes, because I recognized it as the attitude I should aim for:

” … But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Because You say so … And as you probably know, Simon obeyed and got the catch of a lifetime.

When my mother used to say, “Because I said so!” in response to my whining “WHYYYYYYY????” that answer used to bother me. But once I had my own children, I realized that in certain situations that’s a perfectly valid reason.

Even more when it’s God’s reason. When I can’t think of a rational reason to do something the Lord wants me to do, that Still, Small Voice says, How about doing it just because I’m asking you to do it? And of course, how could I say “no” to the One who loves me so much He died for me?

Sometimes He just says, Trust Me. And I know He’s worthy of my trust.

So, that was my answer to the nagging question I brought home with me. And for now, it’ll have to do.

Prayer: Father, You know all things, and I know next to nothing. Thank You for loving me anyway. Jesus, You told Your people to go and preach the gospel to everyone. Help us to obey that Great Commission, even though we don’t always see results. Help us to remember and accept that You don’t ask for results, You only ask for obedience. Help me to say, Like Mary, “behold the handmaiden of the Lord.” In Your name, amen.