Too Much

⁶ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. ⁷ So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

You know that sound a rope makes when it is stretched too tight?  That creaky sound of too much tension.

These nets of Peter’s were created to catch fish.  His fishing boats were constructed to stay afloat. There is an expectancy of normal wear and tear over the years, but what was happening here was beyond that.This was too much fish.

This miraculous catch of fish in Luke 5 was rough on Peter’s stuff.  When Jesus stepped into his boat, when he asked Peter to put out to the deep, when he requested that these veteran fishermen cast their nets over the edge, and when he invited them to become fishers of men and to follow Him, He was inviting his disciples to a life spent, a life that might be rough on them.

Nets torn.

Boat sinking.

Sandals worn.

Body broken.

Jesus calls me to this life as well.  My home, my possessions, my spiritual gifts, my talents, my words are not to be saved, hoarded or preserved.  They are meant to be offered up, spent, even if that means my stuff might get ruined.  Even if it seems like too much.

Ultimately having his nets broken and his boat flooded with water were nothing compared to witnessing this miraculous catch of fish, to having his Saviour revealed before his very eyes.  “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”.

My body is being worn and torn through motherhood and that is okay.  My house is not a monument to be enshrined but a refuge for those needing a home cooked meal. He is giving me the opportunity to release all that I have in my hands to be used for his glory.

I shall not be sorry over broken dishes, back aches, stretch marks, small bank accounts, worn carpeting, or a spent soul weary from ministering to others – for there are great and miraculous and holy things to be seen and experienced.

There is no such thing as too much love, too many sons and daughters returning to The Father, too much patience, too many prayer meetings or too many trips to the laundry room.  Although my earthly body, earthly home and earthly perspectives may not hold up very well, although I can hear that high pitched creaking of ropes stretching under too much tension – the words of Jesus are the same:  Follow Me. In that invitation are hard things, but also rest, peace, love, hope, faith, miracles, power and a whole lot of adventure.

Are there nets breaking in your life right now?  What is Jesus’ invitation to you in the mist of this?