Have you ever tried and tried and tried at something, but made little or no progress? Maybe you’ve taken on a responsibility you were never intended to carry and the weight of it has left you completely depleted of energy. Or, maybe you have zealously pursued getting a new job and all your efforts have come up short time and again – how frustrating…right! You might have even tried so hard to earn a living for your family, yet, no matter how diligently you put forth effort, you can’t seem to get ahead! Well, you’re not alone.
Jesus’ disciples, who were experienced fishermen, had been laboring all night “trying” to catch fish with NO results to show for it! They grew up on the water learning the fishing trade from their fathers. Surely they knew where to find fish. Yet, not even with all their knowledge and practical experience could they catch a single one!
Jesus had just risen from the dead a short time earlier and was waiting for another opportune time to teach his disciples a lesson – a lesson of dependence on Him instead of trusting in their own strength, power and ability!
“At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn” (John 21:4-10).
Jesus (God) had finally entered the equation. I am sure the disciples were like, “Who is this guy? What does he know that we don’t? Doesn’t He realize we’ve been out here all night and caught nothing! Now He is telling us to cast our nets on the other side of the boat and expects us to catch fish. He is crazy!” Despite their reluctance, they obey and caught so many fish, it almost sank the boat!
One word from God and an act of obedience on your part can change your entire situation! You don’t have to strive to produce unbelievable fruit in your life. You simply need to respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Bible says that the sons of God are led by the Spirit of God. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He provided all these fish with little effort. In other words, you don’t have to strive for doors to open on your behalf.
If you are all stressed out and feeling burdened by the demands of life, I want to encourage you to relax and give your cares and worries to God. Learn to be still and listen to His voice and watch God’s favor and blessings overtake you! He can open doors no man can shut. He can cause the right business deal to fall into place at just the right time, even though you have tried a million times and failed. He is God. All the resources of the world are in His hands. All power, all knowledge, all wisdom belong to Him and He is for you! The key to “being more and doing more” in life is not trying, but trusting God and obeying His instructions! You can accomplish more in your business. You can have a stress free, worry free life. Why? Because you are placing your confidence and trust in the Prince of Peace instead of your own ability to make things happen! You can find the right person to marry! You can have a fruitful ministry or career. Simply rest in God, trust Him by faith when things don’t make sense, and walk in obedience. You can do it, you can have a fruitful life…you can Be More and Do More”!
