John 21: 4-6

'Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends haven't you any fish?" "No!" they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.'
(John 21: 4-6)

Have you ever felt the liberation of doing something that you have been unable to do previously? Only last night I went to visit my Dad and was asked to go to the kitchen to get a drink for a friend. I knew what this meant.opening a bottle. I have tried countless times to use the bottle opener thingy at my Dads home, but on every account failed. Don't ask me why I find a seemingly easy task so hard. I manage a degree but am overwhelmed by the trendy bottle opener at my Father's house. Sad I know.

Last night I was determined. I entered the kitchen, collected the bottle, picked up the bottle opener and set to task. I attacked the bottle like it was a matter of life or death. Determination set in, my mind was on over drive. I couldn't do it. I stood there, looked at the bottle and thought. The mind cogs where turning and then it happened. I realised I'd been holding the bottle opener the wrong way round. Hoorarrr! I opened the bottle and presented it to the guest and sat down with an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. Sad I know but you get the picture.

All it took was some time out, an adjustment of thought, a change of direction and the bottle was open.

I get the impression from the above passage that Jesus is calling His disciples to do something similar. "Caught any fish?" Jesus asks. "No!" say the disciples. "Cast your nets to the right side" calls Jesus. Where are we casting our nets? To the right side? As we cast our nets out in life, as we set to task on the jobs of the day, are we taking time to let Jesus speak, to give us direction? We can't afford not too.. if we don't we are likely to catch small fish but if we listen to Him, the likely outcome is a catch so big that we won't know what to do.

I'm not saying that followers of Jesus will become millionares but I am saying that if we put our trust in the directive, steering, loving hands of Jesus we will discover fullness of life, not snippets of life.

Go ahead, ask Him. Whatever time of day it is ask Him.

"Jesus where do you want me to look? Where do you want me to invest my efforts? To the left or the right? Or do you simply want me to stand still?"

Then will come the greatest test. Jesus may say 'do a complete u-turn' or 'put down your net to pick up a rod' what are we going to do?

We must be encouraged though from the words of this passage. When the disciples followed Jesus they caught a catch too big for them to carry. They were overwhelmed by blessings.

We worship a Lord who says, "Come follow me" and promise's that when we do we will discover life in all its fullness. I know this to be true. It may not feel like it's the right way sometimes but when we trust in Him He is faithful and you will see blessings.

Go for it! Cast your nets on the right side and wait on Him.