From Joyce Meyers Daily Devotion posted online:
Luke 5:4-6, Jesus said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing, nevertheless at your Word I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and the net was breaking.
'In this scripture, after a long night of not catching any fish, Jesus tells Peter to try one more time. What Jesus told Peter to do probably didn't make any sense to him, and I doubt that he felt like doing it, but he still did what Jesus said, and he received what was probably the biggest catch of his fishing career. Like Peter, being led by your thoughts, ideas and emotions won't bring in a big catch. But when yo do what God says quickly, whether it makes any sense to you or not, your blessings will amuse you. Christ teaches us to listen to his voice over everyone else and to follow his directions.'
My response and reflection:
During the times that upon us, with COVID-19, I have noticed that I listen more to my thoughts then checking in with Christ. God has a plan for each one of us and during times like this, I find it extremely hard to let go, and let God. It is like I want complete control of what is happening, but instead, I am fighting and not letting him lead me.
I personally, have never thought that I was someone that 'needed' to be in church each Sunday. Church is not about a building it is about what we are doing in our lives. But now that we have been "out" of the church building, it is beginning to be more clear to me that being the church is a lot harder when you don't have the weekly support and reminder from your church family that you are called to serve outside the doors.
Growing up in church, at the end of every service, the pastor would say, "Go In Peace, Serve the Lord", and the congregation would respond, "Thanks be to God". While I don't wish to say how many times I just said those words, I find them now to be something that I need to say each day as I am leaving my house, getting out of my car, walking into work, and anywhere I go. As children of God, we are called to serve others and show the peace and love of Christ to everyone. But with this pandemic happening and my frustration with rules we must follow or rules that others are not abiding by, am I showing the love of Christ wherever I am and letting God lead OR am I allowing my own thoughts to take over??
So while we are out of the church building and potentially not sticking by God, together as brothers and sisters in Christ we must help one another remember that we are to let go, and let God. We are called to serve with a giving heart, not one that expects something. We are called to be a light in the world, and this world, nation, state, community...needs this... the light.
So wherever you are, take a moment to remind yourself to let go and let God. Take a moment to hear in your head, " Go in Peace, Serve the Lord." Take a moment to maybe remind your brothers and sisters in Christ that we are called HIS and only HIS. Take a moment to remember that you are a child of God and called to be the light in this world, even with a mask on.
Dear Heavenly Father, tonight I lift up your children that are struggling with letting go, and letting you (God). YOU are the way. Thank you for continuing to claim us as we often drift away or try to handle things ourselves, we are your stubborn children that you continue to call home, back to the cross. I pray that we remember to be the light in which you call us to be and to share your love and peace to everyone that we meet, through our actions, voice and behaviors (even with a mask on). In Jesus, holy name, I pray. Amen.
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