Left-Handed Fishing

I write left-handed. I do very little else with my left hand – I can eat with it or use it to get me out of a pinch, but for the most part I do everything else with my right hand. I've tried to utilize my left hand more often, but I usually wind up reverting to what comes naturally and what seems more comfortable. "Revert." Not a good word.

Shamefully, we do the same spiritually. We start out walking with God, trusting Him, and obeying Him, but at some point of confusion, difficulty, or laziness we (dare I use the word again) revert. We return to the attitudes and actions with which we feel most comfortable. When God's way doesn't seem to work out for us, we take matters into our own hands. We are not alone. Consider the contrast between these two Bible passages.

So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. – Luke 5:11

Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.
Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing."
They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately
got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. – John 21:2-3

Something happened. In the first passage, these seasoned professional fishermen gave up their careers, their livelihood, to follow Jesus. After Jesus died and rose again, and even after appearing to them twice after that, they did it . . . they reverted. They returned to what they knew; what they felt comfortable doing.

Maybe it seemed to them that Jesus' plan had failed, maybe it was Peter's shame and feelings of inadequacy, maybe it was boredom or confusion or a host of other excuses. However, the fact remained that Jesus had commissioned and equipped them to be fishers of men not trout, whiting, bass or any other aquatic delight. At one time, they gave up everything, sold out to Him completely, and followed Him without reservation. Then, they took it all back and reverted.

What about you? Have life's trials knocked you for loss? Has some failure hurt you and made you feel disqualified or useless? Did you get tired? Burned out? Lazy? Whatever the reason may be, have you taken matters into your own hands and tried once again to figure it out by your own ingenuity and reasoning or do it by your own resources and strengths?

It IS possible to re-revert – if we want to call it that. Maybe today, we need to recommit ourselves to Jesus, His plan, His purposes, and His ways. His way is STILL the best way.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct
your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6