Into Deep Water!
Epiphany 5c, February 7, 2010
Luke 5:1-11 with Isaiah 6:1-13 & I Cors. 15:1-11 in the b.g.
I distinctly remember when each of our daughters was born. In particular I vividly recall the birth of our first child. My wife's labour was long and hard. But after that child was delivered with the help of high forceps and I was eventually allowed to hold her tiny body in my arms, I was overwhelmed. I began to realize that this tiny life was ours. God had entrusted her to us. I would be, I was, I am her earthly father. Much of the way she would see life in her formative years would be influenced by my words, my actions, the circle of our lives. In that moment I was terribly aware of my inadequacies: my impatience, my prejudices, my lack of faith, my inexperience at being any kind of parent. But none of those shortcomings change the call that continues on in my life, to be my daughters' father. What a call it is. I am convinced that it is a call sent directly from God.
How about you? Have you, are you experiencing calls from God in your life, our lives together?
I have also been blessed with friends. These are not just people I know whom I respect and who respect me. Rather these are a number of people who care for me as I am, warts and all. In the earliest stages of our friendship we may have been thrown together because we grew up together, or went to the same school or played on the same teams or even sang in the same choir. Later on in life I may have first met people who became my friend because we were part of the same church or our children did things together. But whatever the reason or reasons those initial meetings blossomed into something more, something else. In the course of time we began to know each other, to trust each other – even to care deeply about and for each other. Then we began to walk with each other on life's journey. Even the separation of great geographical distances could not end (in fact sometimes deepened) those relationships. Eventually, by the grace of God, nothing could break us apart – not even strong disagreements, not even the hurt we sometimes cause each other. Eventually one or both of us apologize. Or an embrace erupts or a new understanding takes hold between us. Then the bond becomes stronger.
I have had friends help me financially, listen to me go on and on so that I could emotionally vent, pray for me and care for me and my family in many, many different ways.
This last year I have been privileged to be with 2 close friends and their families while they have been dying. As I sat by their beds, walked with their families in grief and reflected on our 30 years or so of friendship, I realized how fortunate I have been to be part of their lives: of receiving and giving, of being and having a friend, of being a part of relationship that eventually had the sense, that this is who I am to be to and with this person. Is all of that, sometimes any of that easy? NO! But is it good? Absolutely!
How does any of this occur – these calls from God in our lives?
I am not sure. With some of my friends I can't remember when it actually it was that we became such friends. With others there was a defining moment, circumstance or situation. From that moment on – the reality of our friendship meant that there was no turning back. We are friends, come what may – and that is that! There are more unknowns in such relationships than if as an individual one were to attempt to remain isolated. But in a friendship the unknowns are somewhat faced together.
This morning we hear of God's call upon Isaiah. We also hear Paul articulate a bit of how he understood his call from God. Then in Luke's Gospel we are privileged to behold Jesus' pronouncement upon Peter – that his calling will now include catching people alive – or somehow captivating them.
Isaiah shares some of the awe that enfolds him as he begins to become aware that God is actually calling him. Yes, God – the Creator of the universe, the one whose hem fills the largest known building to humankind, is the One who is speaking to Isaiah. This God calls Isaiah to speak to the people of his time of God's hopes and dreams, of God's commands for them. But Isaiah is deeply aware of his unworthiness. Yet that's not what God's call is about. God's call will be heard. God selects both people and things to work through. And God also equips such people and such things for this work.
Paul is one example of how the call of God can work. Paul was so religiously fervent that he was absolutely convinced that if people weren't worshipping God the way he had been taught, that they weren't only wrong, but they need to be changed with whatever it takes. Paul was at least as fanatical as some of the fans who will be at the Super Bowl today or the upcoming Winter Olympics. Despite Paul's sometimes misplaced fanaticism, God reaches out to Paul and redirects him. Paul is gradually moved from a fervent conviction that could and at least on one occasion led to violence – to a trust in God that would lead him to be open to other's violence in order to care for them. He shared his revelation of Jesus whatever it cost not others, but at first himself. Now that's a call.
Simon Peter is another a person wrestling with and responding to God's call in his life. Simon is doing his thing as a fisherman. He has just completed a particularly long night's work without any reward. At that point of Peter's frustration and exhaustion Jesus comes along. Jesus wants to do some teaching. Who knows if Peter was even paying attention? How attentive are you after a long day or night of work? How much do we care in the midst of our frustration?
In any case, Jesus speaks directly to Simon. "Simon, put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch". Simon initially resists by stating the obvious. We fished all night and caught nothing. But Jesus is persistent. Eventually Simon gives in and obeys. Master, if you say so. Then something amazing happens. The catch is great, beyond any and all expectation any Galilean fisherman would have had! Peter is blown away. He falls down on his knees. In Jesus, He begins to realize that someone, something other than just himself is present. He mutters, "Go away from me Lord – I am sinful."
But Jesus does not recoil. In fact Jesus presses Simon with his call. Do not be afraid. From now on, you will be catching people alive – reinvigorating them. You, Simon, will become a vehicle of new life for them.
Does God ever speak to you – audibly, consciously in such a way that you just know that you are being called to do something or set out on some new venture?
I encourage all of us to listen for God. Listen for God as you reflect on Scripture. Listen by asking the Spirit of God to guide you in prayer. Listen as you go about your daily tasks, as you pursue your interests, with your God-given gifts. God is speaking. God calls us to share what is most important to us with others in word and deed. We are to "empty ourselves" while trusting God.
Jesus is the One who has come to set the captives free, give sight to the blind, unstop the ears of the deaf. By God's grace we can see and experience that we do not need to any longer be held captive by fear, or by any form of evil, including the many powers of death. God, the one and only God, the Creator of this magnificent universe that includes even the smallest cell and organism is the One who loves us. This God becomes human in Jesus so that any and all can be given new life. In this new life our selfish tendencies to stay near the shore, to think first and foremost of ourselves, to be filled with fear are being overcome.
We are to embody, to sing and proclaim this hope with all we are and have, individually and collectively. To do so is to put out in the deep water where there continues to be ever more unknowns and incredible risk. But to refuse to do so is to miss the amazing experience of the great freedom of new life with God.
God continues to call, asking, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us into this world?"
Do not be paralyzed by our sense of inadequacy! Instead ask God to help us respond and obey. Be ready for something to happen. God will help us. Amen.