Getting into one of the boats
It was still dark when I left home. I had to use my small van headlights as I drove to the church. Opening the church and entering into this sacred space, cavernous and dim, I felt deep reverential feelings. It was as if I was alone in the presence of God.
As I sat there looking at the altar, I thought of the words from this week’s Gospel Luke 5: 1-11 ‘He (Jesus) saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.’
It was 1985 and Sandee and I were busy washing our nets. We were a young couple with two toddlers, Sandee working at the local television station and I at a small flooring company. Jesus came into our boat and asked us to put out a little from the land. We were invited to attend a ‘Charismatic Life in the Spirit Seminar’. And then later that same year, a ‘Marriage Encounter Weekend’.
His coming into our boat and asking us to put out a little from the land, in the form of those two experiences, changed the path of our lives. Like the small flap of the butterfly wings, it started a series of events, that led me to sitting alone at that altar in the dim light.
What began as a simple request has unfolded into a lifetime of couple ministry, service, and a deepening relationship with Christ. Sandee and I had said yes to putting out a little from the land. And it has led us to the responsibilities of ministry leadership and diaconal life.
We never know when Jesus is going to come into our boat, while we are busy washing our nets, and ask us to put out a little from the land. It may come as an unexpected invitation, a conversation that stirs something deep within us, a homily, a retreat, a pilgrimage or a quiet nudge in prayer. Sometimes, it feels like an interruption—just another task added to our already full lives. But if we say yes, even hesitantly, we may find ourselves drawn into something far greater than we imagined.
His request is never about the small act itself but about opening our hearts to His presence and trusting where He will lead. And often, looking back, we realize that moment was the beginning of a transformation we never saw coming.
Friend, maybe Jesus has come into your boat, probably he is asking you to put out a little from the land. I encourage you to trust and follow His lead. We never know where He is leading us. But I can assure you it will be a joyous fulfilling life, greater than you can ever have imagined. Go for it, it has worked for us!
I have started a new membership program, combining the priciples of pastoral care and cognitive behavioural therapy. It is targeted to those wishing to change their thought patterns and accompanying behaviour to that of less stress, less anxiety, less low self esteem to be more joyous, confident and grateful. Take a look at the link below and see if it is something that will interest you or recommend it to someone you think may benefit. New Membership Program Link