Written
by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha
In
about every area of life there are defined or set ways of doing things referred
to as tradition. While tradition can be sometimes helpful, it can also become a
clog in a person’s wheel of progress. Some traditions have become rustic and
should either be innovated upon or completely discarded.
Do
not be tied to a specific or particular way of doing things or achieving
results especially if it does not turn out right. There are quite a number of
ways of doing things. Therefore, always think; prayerfully think outside the box
to come up with other options especially new ways of doing things and achieving
results faster. In essence, be innovative. Like it is said, there are many ways
to kill a rat. Who would have believed that pearls can be cultured; therefore
produced in greater quantity; and prices are to an extent affordable making
pearls accessible to all. And just before you think it is only pearls; diamonds
are now being produced in laboratories. Who would prefer searching for them
below when they can be manufactured up here?
The
Apostle Peter required money severally and always got it, albeit in different
ways. To access the temple tax money for him and Jesus Christ, Peter was
instructed by Jesus Christ to go fishing with a hook and not a net or boat. Additionally,
Peter was instructed to take up the fish that came first; implying that other
fishes, probably bigger ones could come up and eat the first. Significantly,
the bigger fishes would command more money than the small fish when sold but unfortunately,
Peter’s catch from this fishing enterprising was not for sale. It was a sort of
money bank that had the money Peter required for the temple tax and all Peter
was required to do after casting in the hook was to bring up that fish; open
its mouth; take out the money in it and of course pay to the relevant authorities.
Please see Matthew Chapter 17 verses 24 to 27. That resolved the immediate financial
need of temple taxes.
On
another occasion, Peter required family income and business money from his
fishing enterprise. Alongside his professional colleagues and friends, they
went fishing with nets and boats at night. Unfortunately, all their expertise alongside
indigenous knowledge of the fishing terrain as well as their labor failed as
they toiled all night in vain. Not a single catch; no fish to sell and not even
a few to take home for food. What a night out; Peter must have thought as he
and his professional colleagues and friends were drying their nets. But unknown
to them, the break through catch that would bring in the very much desired and
required financial independence miracle was just about to come in;
significantly, not at night but in broad daylight. The Creator and Master of
the Universe had a master plan for catching fishes in broad daylight for them.
A
physically exhausted and probably mentally distraught Peter was approached by a
total stranger who required the use of Peter’s boat for a preaching engagement.
Peter agreed to lend the boat to the stranger; significantly for free. But the stranger
also required the services of Peter while He preached. Peter was required to
keep the boat steady. Significantly and this is quite instructive; Peter did
not request for monetary or any other form of compensation. He simply lent the
boat to the stranger. Additionally he rowed the boat a little further from the shore
that was already jam packed with multitudes who were pressing about the stranger
to hear the Word of God. Once free of the multitudes surging around Him, the
stranger commenced preaching and teaching from the boat. Peter was also busy as
he ensured the stability of the boat while the stranger was preaching and
teaching. Peter provided ancillary support services to the stranger who Peter
later referred to as Master. It is possible that Peter, like the multitudes who
pressed to hear the stranger preach and teach had been blessed spiritually and
mentally by the stranger’s teaching. Therefore, when the stranger who was no
fisherman instructed Peter to launch out into the deep to let down his nets for
a catch; Peter complied. That act of obedience borne out of faith and belief in
the stranger gave Peter and his professional colleagues as well as friends one
of the biggest catch in their fishing enterprise and history. The two boats
were filled to sinking capacity with fish. What a lucky day, you would say!
But
beloved, this had nothing to do with luck. It was breaking with tradition based
on divine instructions from the Master of the Universe who upholds all things
by the word of His power. Please see Hebrews Chapter 1 verses 1 to 3. Any experienced
fisherman prefers fishing at night because that is when fishermen make the most
catch. But Peter broke with this tradition and got breath taking results.
Please read Luke Chapter 1 verses 1 to 11. Peter and his friends were so
overwhelmed by this miracle catch that they immediately switched professions –from
fishing for fish to fishing for men. Remarkable! Not yet.
For
Peter still had to break with tradition again. He had as usual toiled all night
with his friends and again there was nothing to show for their labor. Not a
single fish. Again, Jesus showed up as a stranger unknown to them; asking if
they had any food. When they replied no; Jesus instructed them to cast the net
on the right side of the boat. The Bible records that they obeyed Jesus and
they recorded yet another outstanding success. They caught one hundred and
fifty three large fish; fish so numerous that the net could have been broken
but God spared their net.
Beloved,
the critical learning lesson is that Peter, a seasoned fisherman received three
different instructions detailing three different strategies or methodologies or
even approaches to make good his fishing enterprise. Significantly, and this is
quite instructive; Peter the seasoned fisherman chose to obey a non fisherman
without argument. Peter’s obedience gave him unprecedented success.
No comments:
Post a Comment