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While Jesus was standing beside Lake Gennesaret, the crowd pressed in on him to hear God’s word. He saw two boats at the shore. The fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to row a short distance from the shore. He sat down and taught the crowd from the boat. When he finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Row out farther, to where it’s deep, and put your nets in the water for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll put out the nets.” When they did this, they caught a huge number of fish, and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats so full that they were about to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, because I’m a sinner, Lord.” He and everyone with him were overcome with amazement at the number of fish they had caught. The same was true for James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will be a fisher of people.” After they brought the boats to shore, they left everything and followed him. -- Luke 5:1-11, Common English Bible

 

Think about the rhythm of your life. The alarm goes off, you get ready for your day, you tackle your to-do list—it's a predictable routine. The men in this story, Simon, James, and John, were living a similar rhythm. They were professional fishermen, and their day had started badly. They had worked all night, exhausted and discouraged, and had caught nothing. The nets were empty, and all they had to show for their labor was a pile of dirty gear that needed cleaning. 

Just when they thought their day was over, Jesus stepped into their lives. He didn't just walk by; He intentionally got into Simon's boat. He used their space, their resources, and their time to teach the crowd. In that moment, Jesus wasn't just a teacher to a crowd; He was a guest in Simon's work and life. 

After teaching, Jesus gives Simon an instruction that seems a little strange: "Row out farther, to where it’s deep, and put your nets in the water for a catch." Simon knew his trade. He had just spent an entire night with no luck. To him, this request must have seemed foolish. But in a beautiful display of faith, Simon chose to trust Jesus's word over his own experience. He said, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll put out the nets.” 

And what happened next was a miracle. The nets, which had been empty and cleaned, were now overflowing with so many fish that they began to tear. The catch was so massive it filled both boats to the point of sinking. Simon was so overwhelmed by Jesus's power that he fell to his knees, recognizing his own unworthiness. This wasn't just a great day of fishing; it was a divine encounter with the Son of God. 

This story challenges us deeply. Jesus doesn't call us from a comfortable place of success and certainty. He often finds us in our weariness, in our failures, and in our mess. He asks us to drop everything—our plans, our pride, our past disappointments—and trust His voice. 

This is a story I've lived myself. In late February 2025, God gave me a powerful vision: people from all walks of life gathered around a table, sharing a meal and talking about Jesus. It was a clear and unmistakable call to plant a new church. My plans at the time were to be an evangelist, a path that felt comfortable to me. But this new call was so strong that like Simon, I dropped everything and followed Jesus. I said yes to the unknown, to hardship, and to extra work. In that moment, a flood of emotions came over me—fear of the unknown, nervousness about telling my wife, Marcy, what I had committed to, and overwhelming excitement that God would call me to this mission. Though I've always felt drawn to those who need to meet God, I never had a desire to start a church or be a lead pastor. But the call was so strong that my only answer could be "yes." My faith is in Him; He will not lead me astray, and I am willing to follow wherever He leads. 

The call to follow Jesus is a call to action. It requires a willingness to leave behind what is familiar and step into the unknown. When Jesus told Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will be a fisher of people,” He wasn't just changing his job description; He was inviting him into a new life, a new purpose. The fishermen responded by leaving everything—the boats, the nets, and the catch of a lifetime—and following Him. Are you willing to do the same? 

Reflection: What is one thing—a habit, a plan, or an idea—that Jesus might be asking you to "leave everything" and let go of today to follow Him more fully? 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible example of Your power and call in this story and in Pastor Victor’s life. Help me to hear Your voice, even when it challenges my own logic and experience. Lord, I need Your help to obey Your call in my life. God, I need your help with... Amen.