Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me follow Your lead…

 
Luke 5:1-11

 
In this Gospel story, Jesus calls Simon Peter to follow him, and Simon rises up to fall in step with Christ Jesus. At the time, Simon had no idea what it would mean for him to follow Jesus.  In this interchange between them on the shores of the Lake Galilee, Jesus teaches Peter three ways he will be following His lead. First, Jesus shows up, climbs into Peter’s boat and instructs him to put out a bit from shore so his Master can proclaim the Good News of his Father’s kingdom in a natural amphitheatre setting.  I can imagine Simon Peter being somewhat surprised, and perhaps a little reluctant to try this strange thing – submitting his time and other resources to Jesus for an ‘out of the box’ adventure, a somewhat ‘wavey’ adventure.  Next, after completing his teachings for the day, Jesus turns to Simon and proposes going fishing with him – over there. Simon protests a little, and then follows Jesus’ lead – and ends up with not only one boat, but two boats full of fish to the point of capsizing! In this way Jesus demonstrated that following him into seemingly useless pursuits can lead to a life that is beyond-amazingly  fruitful. Finally, Jesus calls Simon Peter to follow him in yet another way, way beyond the imagination of anyone, let alone an unlettered fisherman.  Jesus calls Simon Peter to follow him into his main goal of life – to ‘fish for men (and women)’ and so bring them home to Father God.  What that would mean for the man Jesus ultimately called Peter – the Rock on which the Church was to be built –was not immediately revealed to Simon that day. Only years later, as he, himself, hung (up-side down, it is said), on a cross would he know the full unfolding of his life as a follower of Jesus, and as a fisherman of humankind. Am I prepared to follow Jesus into ‘wavey’ adventures, abundant activities and long-term vocations to fulfill His mission on earth? Yes! With the help of the Holy Spirit of Jesus!  Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me follow Your lead.     
                                                                                                
Our soul waits for the Lord, he is our help and shield.  Our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.    (Psalm 33:20,21 )
 
If I am going to know who Jesus is, I must obey Him. The majority of us don't know Jesus because we have not the remotest intention of obeying Him.
Oswald Chambers
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
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