I find Luke 5:3 very interesting as it describes the boat that Jesus “got into.” It wasn’t a rental. It wasn’t “just docked there” for anyone to use. It was “the one belonging to Simon.” I think this is where Matthew 6:21 also shows up to challenge us. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
That was Simon’s boat! Yet, it wasn’t just any boat. It was his livelihood and source of income because he used it to go fishing. The boat was meaningful to him and he placed great value in it. Yet, Simon, was willing to welcome Jesus in to be a part of his passion, profession and area of expertise.
Jesus had touched Simon
by His ministry in Simon’s home and workplace. However, what converted Simon
was when Jesus showed His absolute and miraculous lordship over what was most
important and the greatest love of Simon’s work.
Simon was a professional fisherman and Jesus, a Carpenter (Mark 6:3), was not. When Jesus convinced Simon by the miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:6) that He was Lord of fishermen, Simon accepted Jesus as his Lord, confessed his sinfulness, and fell to his knees before Jesus (Luke 5:8). He became a completely new man in Jesus. After this, Jesus will refer to Simon as Peter, the Rock (Matthew 16:18).
Have you allowed Jesus to be Lord over your greatest passions, profession and desires? What is your area of expertise? What do you spend most of your day doing? What are you really good at? What part of your job or perhaps, a hobby, that you invest a lot of time doing?
Whatever your answer may be, just know that this is the prime area of your life in which to invite Jesus to operate freely. When you give Jesus free rein in that area, He will, out of love for you, let you realize “the immeasurable scope of His power” (Ephesians 1:19).
Letting God have full control of the “prime area of your life” is the very place where you’ll come to know just how loving a Father He really is. You’ll enjoy how God can “get the word out” about you to advance your abilities and capabilities to new levels for His glory.
Stand in amazement as
doors open and opportunities arise to volunteer, serve and use your skills, abilities, voice, time,
energy and finances to support the Church, help a neighbor, donate to a missions
project, or to uplift the spirits of a lonely widow. The possibilities are
endless with God if we are willing to welcome him into our most beloved areas
of our life. Let Jesus be Lord of your best.