The Shallow Waters

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. - Luke 5:1-3

Sometimes we’re just minding our business when Jesus interrupts. Simon Peter and his coworkers had patrolled the sea all night long but caught nothing - and now they were cleaning up before heading home to sleep. You can imagine how he might not have been the ideal audience for a sermon.

So Jesus does not invite him into the deep water. Jesus does not ask him for a big sacrifice. Jesus doesn’t challenge his way of thinking about the world. Jesus doesn’t tell him he has to love his enemies or give away his money. Nope, Jesus doesn’t do any of those things. Well, at least not yet.

But Jesus does ask him to stick his toe in the water. Jesus does ask him to put out into the shallows. Jesus does ask for just a little bit.

And Simon Peter says yes. It wasn’t that hard, really. It wouldn’t take that long. And it would give Jesus a way better pulpit to reach the crowd on the shore. Sure, Simon Peter could help a guy out a little bit.

And isn’t that where it all starts? Very few of us dive into the deep end of the spiritual pool without first testing the waters a bit. Jesus knows this. He takes it slowly for us. He helps us warm up. He builds trust. As he should - because the Bible says that “he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:12).

So what is a small step Jesus might be inviting you into? is there some testing of the water ahead of you today or this week or this season? What would it look like to just dip your toe in?

Talk with Jesus about these things.