joy1

Discontented.

Bored, or apathetic.

Stuck in a pattern that feels less than life changing. 

Do any of those describe your faith?

Sometimes it describes mine.

Is that okay to share with you? Because the last thing I ever want to do is to pretend that this beautiful faith of ours is without challenges.

Or to make you feel that because you’re in a place just like this, that something’s wrong with you.

This morning I turned everything off except worship music that gently wrapped like a tendril around my heart as I prayed this prayer:

Renew my awe in You

Let’s take a deeper look at verse 8 in our study:

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me–I’m too much of a sinner to be around you. Luke 5:8 NLT

When Simon pushed the boat into deeper water, he had no idea of what was about to happen. We aren’t told why he listened to Jesus. He may have pushed out the boat into deeper waters out of respect. Perhaps it was out of curiosity.

Or hope.  

We don’t know, but when the boat nearly sank under the bounty, Simon shouted for James and John to join him. Imagine the two rugged fishermen rushing to join Simon, throwing their nets into the water. Now two boats are close to capsizing.

Suddenly this isn’t about the fish anymore.

It’s not about the lack of fish.

The abundance of fish.

Or the payday that this size of catch will bring.

All Simon can see is his humanity in light of the man sitting in his boat. He fell to his knees in awe.

This is the true miracle.

Awe produces a heart change as we grasp the joy of knowing Jesus for who He is.

Are you bored with your faith?

Have you found yourself in a place where ministry, busyness, apathy, or complicated faith or people are all that you can see?

You were led there out of obedience. You want to be a good mom. You want to love people. You want to make a difference. You say yes because you hope to be a “fisher of men.”

But it’s not about the fish. That’s the by-product of obedience or ministry.

If all we do is “do” than it becomes about us. 

That’s why I had to stop this morning and fall to my knees before I could write one word to you.

Awe led Simon to a new joy in his faith. It does the same for you and me. It’s why we’ll dig deep all this week into what it means to rediscover the awe in our faith.

I can’t wait. Can you?

Suzie

In The Message, Luke 5:8-10 reads: Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. “Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.” When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee’s sons, coworkers with Simon.

Q: Describe a time you were in awe of Jesus.

Q: Ask the Holy Spirit to show you one factor that might have led to boredom or apathy in your faith.

Q: What is the difference between obeying Jesus and being devoted to Him?

Q: What does the word awe mean to you, in light of Luke 5:8?

Q: What word does the Psalmist link to awe in Psalm 65:8?