To The Right!

“Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” he told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. John 21:6 csb

My little brother is left-handed, the only one in our family like that. I remember as a child trying to switch from using my right hand to my left, just to see if I could write as well with my left hand. It didn’t take long to discover—I’m not ambidextrous! Using my left hand felt unnatural and awkward. And I’m not alone in feeling that way; only about 10% of the population are left-handed.

After Jesus’ resurrection, He spent time revealing Himself to people across Israel. Peter and the other disciples, who were fishermen by trade, went back to their boats. They didn’t know what else to do, so they returned to what was familiar—fishing. It was their comfort zone, something they knew well. But as the text tells us, despite fishing all night, they caught nothing.

Then, Jesus appeared on the shore and told them to cast their nets again—this time on the right side of the boat.

Now, I can’t say for certain, but it’s likely Peter and the others were right-handed. As fishermen, they were probably used to throwing the nets over the left side of the boat, using their stronger right hand to toss them into the water. Jesus’ instruction to cast the nets on the right side would have forced them to use their left hands—a motion that was probably uncomfortable and unnatural for them.

Jesus was preparing to commission His disciples to go into the world, and His commands often challenge what feels natural to us. Loving our enemies, forgiving those who hurt us, and surrendering control to Him are just a few examples of how His ways are contrary to our flesh.

Jesus never wasted a teaching moment. I believe He used this experience to show the disciples—and us—that serving Him will often take us out of our comfort zones. It won’t always make sense, and it won’t always feel easy. But when we trust and obey, just like the disciples who caught an overwhelming number of fish, we too will experience blessings beyond measure.

Agape, Frank

Who Will Go

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking:
Who will I send? Who will go for us?” - Isaiah 6:8 csb

I’ve been reading the journals of Jim Elliot. Jim was one of five missionaries martyred in 1956 during Operation Auca, an effort to share the gospel with the Huaroani people of Ecuador. I first learned about Jim when I was a missionary living abroad in Mallorca, Spain, with my wife and two children. From the moment I heard their story, I was captivated. I’ve always admired those brave men who left behind the comforts and conveniences of America to bring Jesus to an unreached people group deep in the jungle. Jim’s story, in particular, has always fascinated me. Every time I read his words or hear about his life, I find myself moved to tears. I can’t fully explain why—it just happens.

Tonight, as I prepare my Christmas Eve message, I felt compelled to read today’s entry in Jim’s journal. In it, he reflects on the prophet Isaiah and the words God spoke to him. What struck me most was a quote Jim tried to recall from another missionary, Amy Carmichael:

“If thy dear home be fuller, Lord,
For that a little emptier my house on earth,
What rich reward that guerdon were!”

I had to read it several times to fully grasp its meaning. Here it is in simpler terms:
“If my earthly home is a little emptier so that your heavenly home is fuller, Lord, what a great reward that would be!”

This quote, first from Amy and then echoed by Jim, captures a profound willingness to sacrifice for God’s kingdom. It expresses the joy found in contributing to His Kingdom. Isaiah 6 tells us that when God asked, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Isaiah, like Jim and Amy, responded, “Here I am. Send me.” (Vs9). They all understood the great sacrifices their lives would demand for the expansion of God’s Kingdom and still joyfully said, “Send us, Lord, so that your house may be fuller because we were willing to give up our own.”

They saw their lives as insignificant compared to the work, and calling of the Lord. They grasped the urgency of bringing the “Good News” (Isaiah 40:9) to those who had never heard it. They understood the privilege of being sent and took to heart Jesus’ words: “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25). What an incredible perspective they all had. No matter how much they gave up, they knew they would receive much greater. You cannot out give God.

How I long to be like Jim, like Amy, like Isaiah—ready and willing to say, “Here I am. Send me.” I pray I may never lose that willingness to go where He calls.

”But as it is written, What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived — God has prepared these things for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 csb

Agape, Frank