"Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a
catch." Luke 5:4 NKJV
Well, it is baccalaureate and graduation time. Here comes another crop of seniors launching
their boats into the future. We will soon
see which ones are really ready to set sail and which ones end up back in dock.
Someone has said that mediocrity is just the best of
the worst and the worst of the best. TO
escape that, there has to be some serious effort on the part of anyone desirous
of something better in life.
After fishing all night and catching nothing Jesus told
His disciples, “Launch
out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." In other words, leave the safety of the
shoreline and be willing to face the fury of the storm, knowing that God is
with you.
Helen Keller, who overcame incredible challenges, said,
"Security is a myth. The reason we
don’t experience it is because it doesn’t exist. Avoiding danger or failure is
no safer in the long run than outright risk. Life is either a daring adventure
or nothing at all.”
Launching out means setting goals, establishing a plan
to reach them, and becoming accountable. It requires staying in sync with God's
will, confronting your fears and discovering the rewards that lie on the other
side of them. It demands looking in the
mirror, and either respecting or correcting what you're becoming. All of these steps are birthed from a belief
that I can be better, my family can be better, my church can be better and life
can be better.
It calls for devoting your life to something greater
than yourself, even when others don't understand. It's having an "l will fear no evil for Thou art with me"
(Psalms 23:4) attitude, and attempting great things for God. The comfort of the known is one of the
greatest anchors to growth, success, victory and abundance. Too many spend a great deal of energy trying
to maintain instead of move forward.
It’s hard to believe, but the same energy we expend on trying to stay
where we are can actually enhance our lives when redirected to growth.
Launching out does require leaving a known place. It may mean developing new relationships,
going to some new places, accepting some new challenges and committing to new
areas of service. All of these are not
the normal most people are accustomed to.
Best of luck to this year’s seniors. I pray they will consider their potential and
then, "launch out" and not look
back! The rewards are great.
Scripture
to Claim
Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants,
And our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace;
Let our garners be full, furnishing every kind of produce,
And our flocks bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields;
Let our cattle bear without mishap and without loss,
Let there be no outcry in our streets!
How blessed are the people who are so situated;
How blessed are the people whose God is the LORD! Psalm 144:12-15
And our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace;
Let our garners be full, furnishing every kind of produce,
And our flocks bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields;
Let our cattle bear without mishap and without loss,
Let there be no outcry in our streets!
How blessed are the people who are so situated;
How blessed are the people whose God is the LORD! Psalm 144:12-15
