Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Dropping Your Nets

"At once they left their nets and followed him." ~ Matthew 4:20
photo: publicdomainpictures.net
Maybe you're familiar with the story.  Maybe not.  Jesus is walking along the shore.  He sees Simon (Peter) and Andrew hard at work.  He calls to them to follow Him and He will make them fishers of men.  Then scripture tells us that "At once they left their nets and followed him".  

At once - they left their nets.  They didn't say "Sure, but first we've got to get all this cleaned up" or "just  as soon as we're finished with what we're doing here" or  "what will people think?"  Nope.  They dropped the nets at once. 

What is a net?  A device meant to capture.  A trap.  It binds you.  Burdens you.  Ties you down.  Holds you back.  Inhibits you from moving forward.  

I believe Jesus calls all of us to follow the example of Simon (Peter) and Andrew.  

To leave our nets.  The burdens.  The things that are holding us back.  Keeping us captive.  

Let go of the past.  Let go of guilt and shame.  Let go of the need to please others.  The need for approval from the people around us.  Let go of feeling less than, not enough.  Let go of the emptiness.  The loneliness.  

Leave the nets holding you captive.  And follow Him.


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5 comments:

  1. MarySeptember 17, 2014 at 9:18 AM

    Great post said very well without being wordy! Something to chew on. (Popping over from W2W).

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  2. HopeSeptember 17, 2014 at 9:38 AM

    You know... the net for me is letting go. We are currently needing to make some big decisions. I feel the decisions are too big for me. How could I possible choose? And I realize I do not have to make the decisions. I am dropping my net and wait on God. He's knows, He's got a plan and I simply need to walk my walk, pray a lot and watching Him unfold it all. I love the net analogy!

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  3. DawnSeptember 17, 2014 at 10:18 AM

    Great reminder, Beckey! I love how you shared a tangible illustration of the purpose of nets.
    Blessings,
    Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  4. a joyful noiseSeptember 18, 2014 at 12:54 AM

    I like how you referred to nets being a trap to capture something and then illustrated how we are once trapped in our sins, but Jesus sets us free. Thank you for sharing your inspiring post with us here at “Tell Me a Story."

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  5. Lyli @3-D Lessons for LifeSeptember 18, 2014 at 2:31 PM

    Beckey,
    What a good word! Thanks for sharing this with Thought-Provoking Thursday! :)

    ReplyDelete

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