John 21:3-7

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.

What keeps us in our boats? Maybe we feel Peter’s fear in John 6:20? Maybe we think the time and effort it will take to change something about ourselves or in the world around us will be worse than whatever the thing it is we complain about yet do nothing to change.

Is getting out of the boat hard? Yes. Is getting out the boat uncomfortable? Yes, but you see dear brother or sister when Peter got out of the boat both times when he overcame his own doubts and emotions, each time he got closer to Jesus.

This week I want to encourage you to take a step towards getting out of your own boat, and while you are at it, take some time to encourage the men who lead you in worship. I am incredibly proud of them, and I know you are as well. May God bless each and every one of us as we seek to do His Will.

Doug Gregory