"Launch Out"

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

Someone has said that mediocrity is just the best of the worst and the worst of the best.  Is that what you want this year?  If not, you must be willing to leave the safety of where you are, and go where God wants to take you.

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.

As you enter this New Year, stop and recall Gods goodness. Check the price tag on His will for your life against what you're already paying, and compare the rewards of both. Then, "launch out" and don’t 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