Last Friday, I had printed out a message to share with the life group (there were no sermon notes available as pastor and chin nee were away), however the Lord asked me instead to teach on Luke 5. It was really an inspiring discussion because every time I hear the members share, the flow of revelation is really wonderful.
Luke 5:1-11 is the account of Jesus calling Peter, James and John, simple fishermen to a different life. I call it "A life transformed". It intrigued me to read in verse 2 that they were "washing their nets". They did not seem to be part of the crowd, they were just honest, hardworking fishermen seeking to eke out a living through hard work. Probably they were half ears, half hard at work washing their nets. They were also very tired, having worked all night catching fish. In the midst of the distractions of the crowd and the activities of packing up their equipment, Jesus actually picked Peter out of the many people and spoke to him directly, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch". Peter had a personal encounter with Jesus on the shores of Galilee. Not only did Jesus borrowed his boat for his ministry, Jesus also addressed him personally!
Indeed a "a transformed life" begins with a personal encounter with the one who transforms our life, the Transformer of men,the Lord Himself!
To experience a transformed life, I realize that I would also need to act in faith, move in faith, speak in faith. An act of faith precedes a life transformed.
Despite toiling all night and feeling very tired due to lack of sleep, Peter did not object when Jesus asked him to cast down his nets. Although he expressed how he felt to Jesus, he obeyed "nevertheless at your word, I will let down the net". Isn't this a beautiful illustration of a man who did not allow his feelings to overcome the desire of the Lord? Ever so often, I allow my feelings to get the better of me...I wonder how many times I have said to the Lord "but I am feeling so angry, so upset, so depressed" and how many times I have concluded my complaints with "nevertheless I will learn to give thanks and look on the bright side of things". Much more the former than the latter, I am ashamed to say.....
For a long time, I had felt so angry, so bitter with my boss for sending me 'nasty' emails, setting unreasonable deadlines for work assignments, scolding me in ways that were just so humiliating.....until I decided to do what the Lord wanted me to do, to serve her like serving the Lord Himself. I decided as an act of will to humble myself and eat the humble pie in my dealings with her, to swallow my pride, to yield in humility, to shut up and let her scold me, to bless her and thank the Lord for her in my prayers. Things have changed so much in the office. Today I cannot remember all the bad things that happened between us...all I know now is that I respect her as my superior and that I have learnt so much from her.
A life transformed begins with a "A personal encounter with the Lord" and "An act of faith". All who desire to be transformed will need to hear about the love of God and to exercise faith to appropriate the love for himself!
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