s i n k / s i ngk /

(verb) to go to the bottom; to become engulfed; to disappear from view.

Read: Luke 5

Could it be that your place of sinking is actually His promise of blessing?

In Luke chapter five, Jesus’ disciples had been fishing all night on the lake, with nothing to show. As a matter of fact, they had already begun washing out their nets. Jesus sees them and climbs into one of their boats. He tells the man named Simon Peter to put out deeper and let his nets down, for a catch.

“And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.” Luke 5:6-7

Jesus, sensing Peter’s shame and fear, declares three words over him, “Don’t be afraid.” Luke 5:10 Just hours before, Peter and the other fishermen had nothing. Their long night seemed like a total waste. Until Jesus stepped in and changed everything - and required everything, if they were to fully follow Him.

And they did.

Because the truth is, we cannot escape the sinking left by life’s reckless waves of disappointment and devastation. Even Jesus, the perfect Son of God, endured the cross, despising its shame. But that wasn’t the end of His story, nor is it ours...if we will just trust and obey.

His ways are not ours. And though the night might be long, He always comes breaking through.

Our sinking, our dropping, our failing, and even our pain and suffering, don’t have to leave us empty - when God is the One giving, saving, blessing, and redeeming.

So we can let go. Mess up. Fall flat on our faces. Come up with nothing. And begin again.

Our sinking can actually become our saving.

It’s been His rescue plan, all along.

Reflect:

Where do you keep coming up empty?

Name the “wave” that’s most threatening your peace today, write it down on a stone or a rock, and then let it sink to the bottom of a body of water. As you watch it disappear, thank Him for seeing it all the way down and completely through. Then take your next brave breath, with defiant faith.