"Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught."  Luke 5:4

The disciples of Christ had been toiling all night trying to catch fish. These skilled fishermen had been unsuccessful in all their work and effort and had nothing to show for it. The accounting in the book of John states that Jesus told them to “cast the net on the right side of the ship.” But this account has Jesus saying “LAUNCH OUT…and [then] let down your nets for a draught.”

Many times people work and labor within the area of their comfort zone - temporally as well as spiritually. After a while, the result is always the same-no fish. Christ would have us launch out into the deep. In other words, go somewhere we haven’t been before. Move from the possible stagnate position that we have been in. Never compromise or let down truth, but launch out in faith and draw closer to God. Go to new fields where people need the gospel. Praise God where you have been silent. Serve others where you have been self absorbed. Is there room for you to launch out into the deep?

The worst that could have happened to the disciples is that they could have had the same result as all their other hours of toil - nothing. The best that could happen is exactly what happened. God rewarded their faith with numerous fish. This applies to our spiritual life and labors as well. Many times we fish, or work for God, in the same small sphere as others. It is comfortable there even if the blessings are minimal and the catch little to nothing. It will not pay to make a change just for the sake of change or something different. But let us not limit God when He calls for us to launch out and move from our spiritual zone of normality.

There are fish that never get caught and work that never gets done because of our fear to launch out. We can talk about it, we can have meetings about it, we can preach about it, and we can even pray about it; but there comes a time, when the Spirit has spoken, that we need to DO IT. If you will be faithful to LAUNCH OUT for God, that will make it easier for others around you to launch out into the deep that God has for them.

When this is all done in accordance with the will of God, the results for us will be as they were for the disciples. The nets will not be able to contain the blessings, the power, the anointing, the new souls, and the glory of God. If we want this bad enough, we need to launch out into the deep….

-Bro. Michael Smith