Cast Out Your Net One More Time

I love the story in Luke 5:4-6 where Jesus tells Peter to let out his nets for a catch after a long night of fruitless fishing. Peter starts to jabber some excuses about his past fishing experience but then does it again - successfully - to his complete and utter amazement.

Many of us have invented a formula that goes something like this:

Try something + Fail repeatedly = Don't do it again

But God gives us a new equation that says:

Try something + Fail repeatedly = Do it again

In 1998, I started a non-profit corporation called Historytellers Productions whose goal was to create immersive, multi-sensory events with spiritual content. I've tried unsuccessfully to launch this project over the past 10 year - through events and even my church plant. I almost gave up.

But today, I find myself planning one of the largest multi-sensory experiences in Christian ministry for April 22-24, 2009 near Los Angeles. You'll know how revolutionary it will be in October, but I'm so thankful I didn't put away my nets.

My challenge for your Thursday is this -- what dreams have you surrendered to the human formula? What net is God calling you to cast one more time?

Comments

[Abby]

I know it's small to say, but I really needed that this morning. Thanks!

[anne jackson]

in 2005 i had my heart broken by a leader who was also my supervisor on staff at a church. i had an idea to create an art gallery/cafe/bookstore in our new church building, because the arts community where i lived needed a common place to gather and share. i was given the okay to pursue it...and i did, for months.

after this person had some negative things happen in her life, she confronted me and told me there was no way now she would let me pursue this anymore.

it crushed me, and i have let it affect my ability to dream.

HOWEVER...

i wrote about this in a chapter about learning to trust again in my book, and let a staff member here read it. i didn't even think about the possibility of that happening ever again. at breakfast, this staff person asked me if that was something i'd like to start working on here, at cross point. :)

amazing.

[Ben Arment]

that IS awesome.

[Chris Saulnier]

WOW Good stuff at the right time.
A good kick in the passion to try one more time.

[Jonathan Brink]

Ben, sometimes it is as simple as casting our nets on the other side. We're doing the right thing but in the wrong space or place or time. Getting to the right place for me always required listening first.

Much love.

[blair farley]

dude... love the insight on that equation. that is something to remember when working through times of creative challenge... never give up!

can't wait to see the fruit of your current planning.

[Jeff T.]

Man... 'just wanted to say that was a GREAT thought. It's sometimes incredibly hard hard to walk that fine line between persistence and insanity. I guess the determining factor is "Did God call you to do it?"

[jay hardwick]

fabulous, ben. thanks.