From “Forty Days Wild” by Pr Troy Fitzgerald:

“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and led both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:3-8)

Waterskiing didn’t look complicated. “How hard can it really be?” I thought to myself as the group of girls asked me if I knew how to waterski and whether I would like to go.

I agreed, pretending to know how to waterski. Although I had never been on skis I avoided that bit information and replaced it with a bold-faced lie. I only have myself to blame for what happened next. After minutes of wriggling in the water, I finally got the skis on, bent my knees, straightened my arms, and nodded my head. Sure enough, I popped straight up on the skis and I was skiing for the first time. It was easy.

After six seconds of glory both skis flipped off and I fell, but I failed to let go of the rope. After I lost my swimming trunks in the water, I let go of the rope. When the boat drew closer I called for a towel because I was covered with only my life jacket, and shame. I became aware of who I was, and who I was not on the lake that day.

On another lake Peter thought he knew what he was doing too; he was an expert fisherman. He knew there were no fish available for business in the afternoon. Nevertheless, the biggest three-letter-word in the world is “but.” It is a watershed word. It is the continental divide separating ideas. “But” shows an unanticipated change of direction. Peter’s words to Jesus are the watershed moment of confession: “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.

Notice some others who worked that three-letter word into their lives:

• When you feel misunderstood and no one seems to be listening… “Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.” (Genesis 39:20-21)
• When you want to preoccupy yourself with your rights and demand justice… “May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts.” (Psalms 119:78)
• When you are frozen with fear… “the wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes.” (Psalms 119:95)
• When you are not sure what God will do… “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, o king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, o king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)
• When your resources don’t seem to be enough… “then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’” (Acts 3:6)
• When being faithful will surely bring uncertainty… “then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, ‘Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’” (Acts 4:18-20)
• When you seem to be alone… “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” (Acts 12:5)

The three letter word “but” may be one of the biggest words in the Bible. In this story Peter gets a glimpse as to “Who Jesus is” but also a clear sense as to who he is. Much like the reality that became clear to king Canute.

Canute was a Danish king who ruled England from 1016 to 1035. Tradition has it that Canute had a clear sense about who he was and who God was. Even though his subjects would offer him nothing but endless praise, he resisted. All the fussing and flattery annoyed him until one day, he took the entire court down to coast of Northampton and ordered that his throne be set down in the sand.

As the tide came in, Canute asked his advisors, “Do you think I am the mightiest king of all?” “Yes, your majesty, they replied.” Canute continued, “Do you believe that I am the most powerful king of all?” The king’s staff nodded and professed shamelessly, “Oh, yes, your majesty. you are the most powerful king of all.” Canute inquired, “Do you think I am strong enough to stop the tide?” The staff answered with some uncertainty, “Yes, your majesty.”

Standing up from his throne he roared at the oncoming tide, “Stop. I Canute, the ruler of England command you to come no further!” He continued to yell at the tide as his staff hung their heads clearly uncomfortable with their king’s behavior. As the waves engulfed them all king Canute stood before his court staff soaking wet and stated, “It appears that the waves do not obey me. There is only one Lord over the land and sea—one God of the universe. Give your praise to Him alone.” Soaked to the skin they marched back and Canute hung his crown in the church and never wore it again as a symbol that England’s king gave allegiance to the King of kings.

Challenge

Think of an area of your life where you keep God at arm’s length. If you can’t think of any, think harder. To a certain degree, we all struggle with surrender, but the work of confession is often among those most difficult to practice. Try it. Reflect on the story on the lakeshore. Consider the outcome of Peter’s confession to Christ. Meditate on the struggle Peter endured and examine your life and see if you have any scenarios that call for you to launch out into the deep.

Read more from the '40 Days with Jesus challenge'

Day 31: "Custom Eyes Your Life"

From Day 31 of “Forty Days Wild” by Pastor Troy Fitzgerald: “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the […]

Read More ›

Day 23: "The Biggest Three Letter Word"

From “Forty Days Wild” by Pr Troy Fitzgerald: “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into […]

Read More ›

Day 11: Mirroring the Mind of Christ

If you’ve joined our 40 days with Jesus challenge, then you might have read Day 11: Mirroring the Mind of […]

Read More ›