Try the Other Side

"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 21:6 (NIV)

 Have you ever done the same thing over and over with no success? I have. Whether it was trying to make our money work without a budget or trying to make our marriage work without following a biblical model, I tried to do things the same way over and over, hoping for success just one of those times. I came up empty every time.

 But then God got my attention, showing me other things to try—a different way than what I'd been doing on my own. God's way worked much better.

 In today's verse Jesus suggests that the disciples—who hadn't caught any fish—put their net on the other side of the boat. When I read this my mind flickered back to the times in my life when I'd been completely unsuccessful in what I was doing—and how I had to throw my net to the other side of the boat before I could bring in a catch. When I did, my net was full.

 I can still remember feeling the elation that came with seeing my "catch." Those full nets that came from listening to and obeying Him are a visual of living life "to the full" like Jesus spoke of in John 10:10.

 Perhaps you too are in a place of trying the same thing over and over but it never works. Your net comes up empty. You struggle with feeling like your debt will never get any smaller. Or you can't seem to grow your savings account. That promotion feels out of reach. Maybe your relationships just never seem to improve. And that stupid scale won't budge no matter what you do.

 Whatever the situation you find yourself in, you are struggling with that nagging feeling that something needs to change. Maybe it's time to try the other side.

 When the disciples came up empty, Jesus urged them to try something different. He showed them that they didn't have to keep doing things the way they always had. And He gave them specific direction as to how to achieve the success He had in mind for them.

 He wants to fill your net, but perhaps He wants you to take a bigger risk, reach outside of your comfort zone, and trust His ability instead of your own. Most of all He wants you to seek out His voice, listening hard for His direction as to where your nets need to go, trusting that wherever He tells you to put them, His direction is perfect. Try the other side. Abundance is waiting there.

Dear Lord, You know what's not working in my life. You know where my net needs to go. Help me to see it and to trust fully in You as I throw my net to the other side. Please make Your directions clear to me as I listen for Your voice. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
By Marybeth Whalen