Leaving Success Behind

Rise and Shine for Jesus!

By Pam Iannello (my late mother)

What emotions do people feel when they experience defeat? How about when they experience success? How have you reacted to your past successes and failures? In what ways would you like your response to God's work in your life to be different in the future?  Let's look for some answers to these questions in light of Luke chapter 5....

VERSES 1-3:

And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, [2] And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. [3] And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

Jesus was surrounded by a multitude of people, pressing upon Him to hear the Word of God. What a blessing to have people urging you to share the truth! This unique situation takes place on the shores of the lake. Not far from the scene are the owners of two nearby ships, the fishermen busily washing their nets after a long, fruitless night of work. How is it they were not curious about all the commotion the crowd had created? Why was Simon not pressing upon Christ to hear the scriptures? Obviously, something had so absorbed his thoughts that he was immune to what was going on around him - until Jesus drew Simon in with a request for his help and he became a captive audience. (God made his boat the Savior's pulpit!) What do you think it was that fully occupied Simon's mind? Jesus knew what it was and would address it - after God's business had been accomplished...

VERSES 4-5:

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. [5] And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

Upon concluding His sermon, Jesus turns to Simon with a specific command related to his work and a problem he was currently experiencing, that is, his difficulty in catching fish. Like any hard working person, Simon wanted to be successful in his vocation and it was causing him to become stressed and on edge, even with the Lord. Nevertheless, God's business should always be our main concern… Neither should we hastily quit our callings simply because we have not the success we desire! If we give proper respect to God's Word, He will accompany us in our troubles! By the way, whose interests are most important to you today - yours or the Lord's?

In spite of the time Simon felt he must have wasted the night before, it was no excuse to miss a sermon. Ladies, how many times have you wanted to put off going to church to get caught up with things at home? It's easy to allow other things to absorb our time but Christ teaches us to stick to what is vital to our Christian existence!  After the preaching had ended, Jesus told Simon and his crew to take the boat out a little more and let down their nets. Mind you, this was a practice that was contrary to all Simon's experience. Everybody knew that fishing in the Sea of Galilee was done at night in shallow water, not during the day in deep water. You can imagine that Simon, already disheartened, was probably becoming a bit frustrated as Jesus exercised authority over his ship, while pondering the absurdity of going out to fish again. Nevertheless, after offering his opinion on the matter, Simon yielded to Christ’s orders - but not as he was told. The fisherman let down only one net when Jesus had said to let down all of them...

Does it sound to you like Simon fully supported Christ's plan? Does obedience count when proper attitude doesn't accompany your actions?  How do you typically reply to Jesus instructions, especially in areas of life where you feel you are highly skilled? If God tells you to do something a certain way, do you expect to receive any benefit from your obedience or only suffer at His methods? How often has your opinion congested your relationship with Christ and stalled true success? Sadly, we often employ the term "Master", yet rarely respond to God as He though He had any right to direct our lives. Ladies, our opinions can cause us to become over-involved, even in our own lives!

VERSES 6-7:

And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. [7] And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

How interesting that a shoal of fish just happened to be passing by the very moment the net was let down… In fact, it was so large a quantity, their net broke!  What astounding proof of the reliability of God's Word this miracle is!! What I see here is that without the Lord, the success we strive for will overpower us. We won't be able to cope with it. Notice these overwhelmed fishermen beckoned unto their partners for help – which Simon should have done in the first place had he let down all the nets! Have you ever done the same, dear lady? Have you failed to follow God’s Word and then been overtaken by your circumstances? No human help will ever be adequate enough to help control or try to stay on top of things where the Lord is neglected. Like the nets and the ship, we will brake and sink under the pressure of it all unless God is first in our lives!

What a tragedy it would be to climb the ladder of success only to discover the ladder was leaning against the wrong wall… Only Christ can accomplish that which "professionals" cannot even do. Whatever the Lord does in our lives, He does so that we might seek to follow Him without reservation!  Can you submit even when you don't understand what God is doing? We must obey Him implicitly and trust His leadership and power in ALL matters. 

Luke 6:46 (KJV)

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

By way of this miracle, Jesus wanted to catch Simon in HIS net! Has He caught YOU yet, dear lady? True discipleship cannot take place if we do not respond with reverence to godly authority and government.

VERSES 8-10A

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. [9] For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: [10A] And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon.

Yes, the results were staggering; Simon was astonished at the abundance of fish; it was unlike anything he had ever seen before! He instantly recognized that only God could perform such an act and he fell at Jesus knees and confessed his sin. Simon clearly understood how he had doubted the Lord and learned that he needed to rely upon the Lord completely.  Does success equally humble you, dear lady?  Do you claim each "catch" for yourself or give God the credit for your successes? How people respond to success is an indication of their true character. Simon had initially leaned more upon his own insight than the wisdom of God and was ashamed. His faith had been tested and he knew it had failed. Does it bother you more to fail in worldly ways or spiritual ways? 

Notice that when Simon realized his own sinfulness he wished to be separated from the Lord. That is precisely the worst thing we could request! Do you ever feel that way when you've failed? "God, why do you bother with me?" When we learn where we have fallen short we should cling to our Savior and King, not ask Him to depart! 

VERSES 10B -11

And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

In closing, it is always painful to compare our motives with Christ's, but we are better for it when we respond properly to our heart's true condition. Simon was not only humbled but fully persuaded of God's power. Hence, without difficulty he walked away from his greatest feat as a fisherman and chose a better profession instead!

God Bless,

Pam

Isaiah 60:1&2

Copyright 2002 Pamela A. Iannello

Revised 2007