Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The Right Side Of The Boat

Throw your net on the right side. - John 21:6 NIV

When you make decisions based on doubt and unbelief, they never turn out right. After hearing Jesus promise to rise from the dead, and then actually seeing Him alive, the disciples still went back to what they were doing before they met Him: fishing. Now God will use our past experiences to teach us, but He always leads us forward - never back. When fear and uncertainty make us want to go back to the security of what we know, we end up like the disciples: "They went out and... got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing" (John 21:3 NKJV).

But there's good news: If God called you, you're still called. Notice how Jesus addresses them: "Children, have you any food?" (John 21:5 NKJV). In spite of your lackluster performance, you're still His child! Next He tells them: "Throw your net on the right side of the boat... When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord!'" (John 21:7 NIV). That morning Jesus ate breakfast with them, renewed fellowship, removed their doubts and sent them out to change the world.

What's the lesson here? When we work outside of God's will it's like fishing on the wrong side of the boat; we wear ourselves out and in the end have nothing to show for our efforts. Are you succeeding in life? No? Maybe you're fishing on the wrong side of the boat! Things aren't going to work out right until you submit to Christ, renew your fellowship with Him and allow Him to direct your steps.

Note: The article is taken from The Word for Today", by Rhema Broadcasting Group in association with The Vine - www.thevine.co.nz.

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