YOUR Call to Action

Luke 5:1-11

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%205%3A1-11&version=NIV;NLT

 

 

Coach Steward was a big man. He stood about 6 feet 8 inches and probably weighed close to 300 pounds. He was an assistant coach for my high school football team – the St. Louis Sharks of St. Louis, Michigan – the Middle of the Mitten.

 

It was half time of a game that we were obviously losing. First the head coach yelled at us. Then it was Coach Steward’s turn.

 

We sat silently with our eyes fully focused on him as he held a clip board in one hand and began. As he paced the floor, his volume increased. He began to beat on the clipboard with his other hand. When his tirade had reached its climax, he pounded on the clipboard one final time, breaking it in half.

 

Coach Steward had our attention and we were ready to go into battle; to walk through walls for him; to do the impossible. He had called us to action, and we responded.

 

In Luke 5, even though it made no sense, Jesus called Peter to go back out and throw his nets into the deep water. It was a ridiculous request. Peter was the experienced fisherman. He’d been out all night working hard. Jesus was a carpenter and an itinerant preacher. He didn’t know anything about fishing. But Jesus had called Peter

to action, and Peter responded.

 

This was not the first time Peter had interacted with Jesus, and it wouldn’t be the last. John 21 describes a strikingly similar story.

 

Without their Lord, following his death and resurrection, Peter and a few other disciples fished all night in the Sea of Galilee, once again, without catching anything. Jesus appeared on the shore and told them to cast their nets one more time. They did, and the net was filled with “153 large fish”.

 

Following breakfast on the beach, Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me”. We know that Peter was hard headed. He lived by the premise of “ready, fire, aim”. He didn’t always think before acting. But the Lord saw something special in Peter. He saw a man who could lead others while following him. That morning, Jesus once again called Peter to action, and he responded.

 

I think that the Lord is still working in your life and mine in the same way as he did with Peter. He keeps showing up in our lives; he keeps speaking to us; he keeps pursuing us; he keeps calling us to action.

 

What has Jesus called you to do? What desire has he given you? What sermon have you heard, or book have you read, where he has spoken to you? Listen closely for his still small voice. Don’t miss it; don’t make excuses; don’t rule it out because it doesn’t make any sense. Just follow him wherever he leads you.

 

 

 

(If God has spoken to you through this blog, please feel free to share it with others.)

http://lifelinebasketball.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

Good Job Joe Boy

Matthew 3:13-17

 

The last football game that my Dad ever saw me play I wanted to make him proud. It was my senior year of high school, but my parents were moving to Kentucky while I stayed in Michigan. This was it; my final chance to win his approval; to make him proud. My last chance to hear him say, “Good job Joe Boy”.

 

With those four words he could have sent me on my way ready to tear down walls. After all, this was going to be a big change for me. I wouldn’t be living with my parents anymore. The people who had raised me, provided for me and made my life secure were moving, leaving me behind. Fear, insecurity and the anxiety of the unknown all waited for me like a dark closet in my bedroom.

 

Imagine how Jesus might have felt as he approached his cousin John about baptizing him. He was about to set out on his earthly ministry. We don’t know how much of the specifics Jesus knew of what awaited him, but for sure he had at least an inclination that a painful, sacrificial death would end his life. That by itself, would be more than enough for fear, insecurity and anxiety to stop him in his tracks.

 

^16-17 “The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and

he saw God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.”                       MSG

 

With these words, God affirmed His son. He gave Jesus the strength and courage to go forward. He gave him the love and affirmation to face an unknown future that promised to hold both miraculous events and painful ones. He lifted Jesus up to prepare him for three years of high intensity spiritual battles.

 

I never heard my Dad say those words to me: “Good job Joe Boy”. But every time that I read God’s word, He says them to me. Every year when I celebrate the birth of His son, He says them to me. Every Easter when I remember the risen Christ, He says them to me. Every worship song that I sing, He says them to me.

 

He says the same message to you. “You are my Son, my daughter, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

 

 

 

By saying this, He gives you the courage and strength to face your fears, insecurities and anxiety of an unknown future.