What’s Next - Week 4

Daily Scripture Readings

Monday: II Chronicles 30:1-9

Tuesday: II Chronicles 30:10-12

Wednesday: II Chronicles 30:13-22

Thursday: II Chronicles 30:23-27

Friday: II Chronicles 31:1

Saturday: Acts 1:1-11

Opening Prayer

Gracious God, often I want to know, “What’s next?”  Sometimes the answer is to try something new.   On those occasions, give the faith to do things differently.   

In Jesus name, Amen.

Reading

Living a life of faith feels like fishing. You cast the line, throw out the nets, but you can’t control what you catch. It is wearisome when our best efforts do not lead to the outcome we are hoping for.

I know what it feels like to be one of the disciples on the boat. Out on the water, trying time and time again, but all efforts come back void. It’s frustrating and tiring. It is at this point where I often begin doubting myself, doubting God, doubting just about everything.

I felt like this five years ago. I was newly-married, jobless, and living with my parents. A big career opportunity in China fell through, and I was starting from square one in a new city where I knew no one. I must have applied to thousands of jobs, went to dozens of interviews, but never received an offer. I was humbled and ashamed and felt childish. I wanted so badly to be the “provider” for me and my new wife, but all my effort and all my wanting didn’t do much. I became hopeless.

I came to the end of myself and it was in this place where my faith grew. I gave up my need to control the outcomes. I surrendered my need to be the perfect provider. I chose instead to see God as my provider, and I accepted a place of dependency. Although nothing changed in my circumstances, a sense of ease and rest and possibility came over me.

I cast my nets on the other side of the boat when I surrendered the outcome of my job hunt and turned to a staffing agency for help. And just like the disciples, I was awe-struck by the catch! It was more than I could have expected or dreamed of.

Maybe it’s time to cast your nets on the other side of the boat and see what happens.

Aaron Blum