Higher Ground

“I am going fishing,” Peter said to four other disciples in John 21. They went along with him and spent all night fishing in vain.

In the morning, Jesus stood on the shore and called to them, “Friends, do you have any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

The disciples’ honest reply to Jesus here hits me straight in the gut. Many times I have decided, “I’m going to go do something for God!” then given all my efforts to trying to speak well, teach well, or do outreach well. But did I catch anything? No.

When I go out to “fish” in my own strength, relying on my own abilities, I’m really walking in the flesh rather than in God’s Spirit. If I want God to use me or work in my church, I need God’s Spirit to fill me, empower me, direct me, and open doors for me. When we “fish” His way, in His power, the story turns out very differently: “They were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish” (John 21:6).

Lord, teach us to walk in the Spirit, not attempting to do Your work in our own way and depending on our own strengths and abilities! Fill our churches with Your presence, Your power, and with willing workers who do not depend on their own flesh, but are filled with Your Spirit!

“For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 AMP).