“Put out into the deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” —Luke 5:4 NIV

I’m not crazy about fish, but I am crazy about my husband, so a few years ago we took a family vacation trip to Canada—to go fishing, of course. Terrified of deep water, I strapped on my life vest as tightly as I could and clung to the small boat as it roared across remote lakes or puttered through narrow channels. The tasty walleye we were after could only be found in deep water.

Because I couldn’t swim, the fear of falling in was ever present. While others reeled in fish after fish, my line kept coming back empty—minus even the slimy minnows I’d managed to squish on the hook without throwing up. Eventually I did catch a “keeper,” but only because I finally overcame my fear of drowning and listened to the directions of someone more experienced than me at fishing.

Letting go of fear and heeding someone wiser applies to more than fishing—it applies to my faith as well. There are times I doubt the Word of God. I just can’t see the blessings He has promised in His Word if I will obey. Like Peter, I’ve “toiled all night and caught nothing” (Luke 5:5 NKJV). Rather than risk feeling insecure, I stay close to shore, wading only as far as my shallow faith will allow me. Yet He calls me to venture into the deep, yield my fears to Him, and open my heart to receive what He has for me.

Do I believe Him or don’t I? If I choose to believe, then I need to risk going in over my head. If I choose not to believe, then I lose out on His blessings.

It didn’t take a lot of faith for Peter to make the catch of a lifetime—just enough to turn the boat around. Neither do I need a lot of faith—just enough to venture out one more time.

Dear God, shore up my faltering faith. Amen.

Read and reflect on Luke 5:1–11.

From Minute Meditations: Meeting God in Everyday Experiences, © 2000 Michele T. Huey. All rights reserved.