“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’” Luke 5:4
When?
When is the vaccine coming?
When is it going to end?
When I am going to see my family and friends?
When can we come together?
When will things be like they used to be?
When? When? When?
The unknown always produces anxiety and fear. At our last convention, a time when we were all together, I asked that 2020 be the year of "Living fearlessly in Christ." I used Luke 5:1-11 to emphasize this need in our diocesan life. It seems that 2020 is much different than we envisioned and now takes on a deeper meaning.
Luke describes Peter on the shore. He had been out all night in the boat, searching for fish. Tired and frustrated, Peter returns with empty nets. Jesus wasn't invited; he gets into the boat. It is described as "The invasion of grace." Jesus calls him to leave the comfort of the shore, and" put out into the deep."
Peter must have been irritated and thought: "We tried, we're tired, and there are no fish out there. Who are you? You do not know how to fish!" Peter does not want to go, he would like to stay by the shore. Deep water challenges and it causes discomfort and fear. We do not want to go to the unknown and the places where we cannot control the outcome. Deep water causes us to identify our weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
Yet, deep water introduces innovation, the necessity to trust, the dependence on one another, and the power of something greater than ourselves. Deep water is a sacred space of transformation and the opportunity to live fearlessly in Christ. As the prayers proclaim: "Where storms will show your mastery; Where losing sight of land, We shall find the stars."
At this time in our lives, surrounded by the unfamiliar, all our previous understanding of safety and security is being rocked back and forth. The waves come one after another. and our boat may feel like it is sinking. We are going to the deep, and this is scary. As the sky is darkening, living fearlessly in Christ takes on even greater importance. Now, let us remember that living fearlessly in Christ is vastly different than living recklessly. God gives us the spirit of wisdom, discernment, listening, and understanding (including scientific and medical).
This week, the meditations will center on the importance of living fearlessly in Christ. To live fearlessly in Christ, we must admit that we are afraid. Afraid of the deep water we are entering, afraid of the virus, afraid of what we will lose during this time, and the all-encompassing fear of the unknown. Today, let us name our fears and lift them in prayer.
During this time, to live fearlessly in Christ, we must open our hearts and acknowledge that we need God, we need the presence of Jesus Christ. The only way we can put out to the deep is with Jesus Christ. Today more than ever, it is in and through Jesus Christ as we set out to the unknown deep waters.
I imagine Peter stood on the shore and thought of all the reasons not to go to the deep His questions, fears, anxieties, restlessness, irritations, and every cell in his body is tired and saying no, no, no. "When is my life going to change." Then he looks into the eyes of Jesus Christ. Peter senses the possibility of something different, it is an invasion of grace and the envelopment of love, for "Perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18). Uninvited, Jesus steps into the boat. Peter responds, and they set out.
Today, I invite you to move to a quiet place. Away from the distraction of news reports, computers, television, and center yourself. Spend five minutes in total silence. Perhaps you can find a picture of Jesus that offers solace and tape it on a wall and look at it. Then, offer up your fears to Jesus Christ. Name them. Say this simple prayer: "Lord, I am afraid, I offer you all my fears and worries. I am afraid of…….I am worried about…..I place all these fears and worries in your loving, compassionate, wounded, and holy hands. A sacred space of transformation.