Luke 5:2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 

 

Yesterday, we initiated a discussion on the Passage of Scripture found in the Fifth Chapter of Luke, where Jesus borrowed Peter’s boat and used it to teach the people gathered on the shore.

 

In the Second Verse, we see something very important. Luke writes that the fishermen had gone from them (the boats) and were washing their nets. Peter and the guys were at work when Jesus asked to borrow the boat. They were busy washing their nets. Fishing was their occupation. It was their means of supporting their families, and they were successful.

 

Jesus DID NOT say, “Hey Peter, let me borrow your boat this Sunday so I can teach the people who might show up.” Nor did He say, “Hey Peter, when you retire and you don’t need your boat any longer for work, I’d like to use it for an hour or two.”

 

The fact is, the people were gathered. Jesus showed up. Peter was there with his boat at work. He heard the Lord ask to use his boat and he obeyed. Peter did not respond and tell Jesus to wait until after he was off work. He heard the Word of the Lord and responded right then.

 

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard people say, “When I retire, I will become a full-time missionary, but for now, I am working.” Others say, “I go to church every Sunday and sometimes on Wednesday night. God does not expect me to take Him to work with me.” How about this one, "When I get off work, I will witness." 

 

God wants to use you NOW! He has something for you to do at work, at school, in the store, or wherever you may be today. He does not ONLY use us in church buildings or on certain days of the week. God has no limits. We put limits on God. He can do anything, anywhere, anytime IF we will act in obedience, trust Him, and let Him use us to borrow our “boat.”

 

Sometimes God will allow a situation to happen that leaves us with nowhere to turn expect to Him. That’s what He did in my case when I tragically became a widow at the age of 52. I had lost my partner in life, my teammate. It was extremely hard at the time, but as I look back now, twenty-two years later, I am so grateful. 

 

I shall never forget God's Words when He spoke to me on an airplane and said, “I have something for you to do that does not include Jack. I have been preparing you for this your whole life, and you are still young enough to do it. I want you to build a retreat facility on the ranch in Oklahoma.”

 

The hardest time in my life has proven to be the greatest blessing. Jesus asked Peter to use him and his boat. In my case, God said, "I want to use you and your ranch." You see, God has a plan for each of us. He wants to use you and what you have. You will never go wrong by saying "YES" to God when He asks to use you and borrow your "boat."  

 

Don’t wait until you retire, let Him use you and your “boat” NOW! Just imagine how wonderful our world would be if every believer let God use them and their “boat.” It all belongs to Him anyway. Why not let Him use it now?

 

He is able to…….....turn the tide

 

Given over,      Doreen

 

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