Sure, why not?
"Work with InterVarsity at Creighton."
Okaaaaaay?
"Follow me wherever I want you to go."
There's a gnawing, uneasy feeling that I get when I think about that last statement. I mean, I wish I didn't. I wish I could take those words, digest them, and get really excited about the possibilities. But my first reaction is to wonder why I should indeed follow wherever. The first two requests are challenging, but not all-together life-altering. The third request leaves no room for selfishness or my own planning.
2,000 years ago, a fisherman named Simon was confronted by Jesus on the shores of a sea. Put out a little from shore, he requested (you can follow along in Luke 5:1-11). A little while later, after pushing away from land, Jesus requested that they go to deeper water and drop the nets. Simon had just finished his day of work...and caught zero fish. It'd be like pulling into your driveway after a horrible day at work, having a guy hop into your car, and him saying "go back to work and try it again my way." Simon had a right to be confused...after all, he was the experienced fisherman. Yet, Simon did as Jesus said.
And then the sweet stuff happened.
By following Jesus' instructions, Simon got to experience Jesus in a whole new way. By assenting to the requests, Simon partook in a catch of fish that would put the guys from The Deadliest Catch TV show to shame. By saying yes to things that were a little unconventional and contrary to common fishing sense, Simon got to see Jesus for who he really is:
Someone who provides. Someone who can be trusted. Someone who knows what's best. Someone who is the Son of God.
I read that story and wonder what would have happened if Simon Peter had said "no thanks." What would have happened if Simon would've continued to clean his nets instead of heading out to sea? What would've happened if Simon hadn't shoved off from the shore?
Nothing.
No sweet nickname like "Rock." No miracles. No life-changing revelation of the Christ. No journey down a path that includes spreading the most important message of humankind and starting the Christian church.
The true life of Peter began when he met Jesus between the shores of the sea. He found his purpose when he encountered Jesus, but that only happened because he ventured to where Christ called him. And what happened on the Sea of Galilee gave Peter no real choice but to follow this man who had just turned his world upside down.
I want Peter's story to be my story.
I've put into deeper water and come to Creighton, but I want to meet Jesus this year somewhere between this shore and the other. This week. Today. I don't simply want to get to the "deeper water," say 'This is nice,' then head back to shore. I want to be blown away by how much wiser and more powerful God is than I am.
I want to catch two boat-fulls of God's goodness.
