Fishers of Men - Day 5

Luke 5:2-11

2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

 10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

These "fishermen" had been toiling all night with nothing - not one dang fish.  Once they let down their nets "at [Christ's] word" however, they "enclosed a great multitude of fishes!"  right in the very same spot where there best efforts had brought nothing.

In the past, to me, this story has been about miracles that can happen when we are about Christ's work vs. our own.  Today I was impressed by the need to wait until HE calls us to do his work, or we will most likely be "toiling all night and have taken nothing." 

D&C 11:15-21

 15 Behold, I command you that you need not suppose that you are called to preach until you are called.

 16 Wait a little longer, until you shall have my word, my rock, my church, and my gospel, that you may know of a surety my doctrine.

 17 And then, behold, according to your desires, yea, even according to your faith shall it be done unto you.

 18 Keep my commandments; hold your peace; appeal unto my Spirit;

 19 Yea, cleave unto me with all your heart, that you may assist in bringing to light those things of which has been spoken—yea, the translation of my work; be patient until you shall accomplish it.

 20 Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength.

 21 Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; THEN , if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men.

I will be prepared and ready whenever and wherever that call comes ( all at once, or one conversation at a time) if I will "Keep [his] commandments with all [my] might, mind, and strength...appeal to [his] spirit...cleave unto [him] with all [my] heart...seek to obtain [His] word."

THEN shall [my] tongue be loosed and [I] shall have [His] Spirit and [His] word, yea the power of God unto the convincing of men", even perhaps those very same men who would not come before.  Christ knows when the fish are ready, and perhaps more importantly, when I am truly ready.