Here’s a couple questions for you to ponder…

• When did you first recognize that is was Jesus on the shore of your life?

• What would be the things in your life that attempt to “crowd Jesus out?”

I love Luke 5:1-11.  There is nothing about this day in the life of Jesus that I don’t like.

^1-3 One day the people were crowding closely round Jesus to hear God’s message, as he stood on the shore of Lake Gennesaret. Jesus noticed two boats drawn up on the beach, for the fishermen had left them there while they were cleaning their nets. He went aboard one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to push out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and continued his teaching of the crowds from the boat.⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Push out now into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”⁵ Simon replied, “Master! We’ve worked all night and never caught a thing, but if you say so, I’ll let the nets down.”^6-8 And when they had done this, they caught an enormous shoal of fish—so big that the nets began to tear. So they signalled to their friends in the other boats to come and help them. They came and filled both the boats to sinking point. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell on his knees before Jesus and said, “Keep away from me, Lord, for I’m only a sinful man!”^9-10 For he and his companions (including Zebedee’s sons, James and John, Simon’s partners) were staggered at the haul of fish that they had made. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid, Simon. From now on your catch will be men.”¹¹ So they brought the boats ashore, left everything and followed him.

I don’t know what your middle school P.E. moment is or after school dance moment is regarding NOT getting picked – but know that Jesus does pick YOU.  He “gets into your boat.”  I love that.

Here is the part of the account that I especially love.  There have been little moments of obedience all along the way – (1) let him get into the boat, (2) push out a little, (3) push out into deep water, and then, the moment – (4) let your nets down for a catch.

This is where the line is crossed.  Now Jesus is messing with a turf that is not His – he is “allowing his mower onto some other persons property.”  This is someone telling you how to load your dishwasher, how you like your sock drawer organized, or worse yet, how to drive.  It is simply not right!

Peter comes back with some great arguments:

1.  We have worked all night.
2. We have not caught a thing.

In those great arguments we hear so much about how hard they worked, how much they know, how much their expertise should be factored in.  We hear that they have knowledge of when to fish, where to fish, and how to fish.  Basically what I hear is:  “Back off!”

But wait … the moment has arrive.  “But – IF YOU SAY SO.”  There they are, the magic words.  IF YOU SAY SO has a lot of obedience packed into it.  This is where the impact comes from.

We just got done with our summer assignment.  The Young Life staff, the Summer Staff, and the Work Crew were amazing!  The Lost Canyon Property Staff were also amazing . . . and together we served up the “best week” to thousands of campers.  This happened because people had the – “If you say so,” attitude.

Have you ever worked with an “If you say so,” person.  They are amazing.  They just get the job done.  Peter was an “if you say so” kind-of-a-guy.  What did it get him?  It got him a few boat-loads full of fish, more fish that he had EVER seen caught.  It also changed his life.  How do we know?  He left the fish to follow after the person who caught the fish!

The three ways to be an IF YOU SAY SO person:

1. Attitude.  There is nothing that separates a person more from another person than just attitude.  We all know the kind of person – “Absolutely!  No Problem!”  How we respond to people with out attitude speaks volumes as to whether we are an IF YOU SAY SO person.
2. Available.  Peter allowed his boat to be used.  This entire account could have been real short – but Peter was available.  We have to be ready to serve.  We have to be the first to throw our hands up in the air!  Pick me!
3. Obedient.  There are times that what we are asked to do will not make sense.  We will have a great comeback – “Worked all night,” or “Haven’t caught a thing.”  Nevertheless, we toss the nets in.

These three attributes = IMPACT.  I watched it over and over again this summer.  People who had great attitudes, people who were available, and people who were obedient.  Boats were overflowing!

Back to the start –

In what ways can you see Jesus standing on your shore of your life?

What is trying to crowd him out from helping you be an IF YOU SAY SO leader?

Hope you have a great week!  Happy Monday!

Eric