Are you looking for direction today?

Oftentimes in life we think we have it all down and that we have already gotten the hang of things. This can happen in the workplace, the home, parenting, school, relationships and more. Other times, we know we are way in over our head and it will only take a miracle for us to make it through the storm. In YoungLives we do crafts, games, childcare, and share meals but most importantly we share the truths of who God is. Today take a moment to listen to what God might have for you.

Below is a word that Chick, one of our volunteers, wrote and we wanted to share with all of you.

“I was reading in the book of John, chapter 21 and as I was reading the following passage (verses 4-6), and had a truth moment with myself.

“At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was.  He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

Here is my truth moment  – often I think that I know the right way to do something, the right choice to make, the right direction to take and so I forge ahead only to fail.  I end up with “an empty net” and I end up frustrated.  Other times I end up so exhausted because it took so much out of me. I then wonder, “why didn’t God help me with this”?  And the truth is that I either didn’t ask God for His help beforehand, or I did pray and ask His help, but I questioned His direction so I just did it my way. I felt more strongly that my way was best so I ignored God’s direction.  And I end up “with no fish”.

When I read this story in the Bible, it was so evident that often God’s ways are the opposite of what we think to do.  See, the disciples were professional fisherman before they were Jesus’ disciples so they knew what they were doing.  They knew how to fish.  God’s plan that morning though, was to do it a different way.  And so when Jesus told them to throw their nets to the other side, they could have said “um, we got this.  We are professional fisherman you know” and they would have missed not just an amazing catch of fish, but the miracle that took place.

I like this story because it’s a good reminder for all of us to trust God when we sense He wants us to do it differently than we normally would.  Trusting God can be scary if we are honest.  Submitting our own way is a hard thing to do because we are stubborn people. And how exactly do we trust God?  For me, I stop and remember all He has done for me personally, I recall stories that friends have shared about how God has led them and answered their prayers, I think about the truths in the Bible that tell me God loves me and so that means He cares about me, He wants what is best for me.  God wants what is best for me and for you but sometimes the best direction is hard and the waiting is painful. It’s the truth.  It’s not all sunny skies and flowers.  Our trials can be faith builders if we let them and the good outcome of stronger faith is less worry and anxiety.  The times of waiting teach us patience if we let them and the good outcome of patience is less worry and anxiety. I encourage you to ask someone to share a time where they chose to listen to God’s direction because this can be a faith builder and encouragement for you.  Listen for God’s direction and have courage when you feel like He wants you to throw your net to the other side.”