Is Divine abundance a nice thing?

This morning at Resource we were reflecting on the book in the Bible written by and named after Luke, chapter 5...

Once when he was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, the crowd was pushing in on him to better hear the Word of God. He noticed two boats tied up. The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets. He climbed into the boat that was Simon's and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Sitting there, using the boat for a pulpit, he taught the crowd.  When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch."  Simon said, "Master, we've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I'll let out the nets." It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.  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.  Jesus said to Simon, "There is nothing to fear. From now on you'll be fishing for men and women." They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.

... the question arose for me, was this the nice thing I always thought it was... you know, Jesus/God bringing abundance, richness to people, his mastery over creation providing for us... etc. etc.  I began to think about the story in a different way...

• Divine abundance creates more work - they had to go out even though they had been working all night, then when the nets were filled they had to call on the other crew to help.
• Divine abundance destroys the things we have been constructing - the nets they had been meticulously cleaning were now not only dirty again but were also ripping!  If you have ever witnessed nets being made &/or cleaned you will know the amount of work involved.
• Divine abundance puts us in great danger - the boats were so heavily laden that they began to sink... and we know (the story says) that they were far from shore - the risks were as great as they could be, a real life or death choice!
• Divine abundance highlights our inadequacy/vulnerability - Peter was awed by the power of Jesus - the God man... who had the power to move creation... to know the hearts of the people... how can you not feel vulnerable or exposed?
• Divine abundance can mean walking away from the reward - The fishermen were being led to a new place/role... a new challenge... they had to walk away from the reward that was tied to their old role... the fish!  So I guess sometimes the abundance itself is a lesson not a reward... not something to be grabbed but something to be learned from and left behind.

Divine abundance is not necessarily 'nice' it can be overwhelming... but it is the promise we receive... it may not be easy to handle or even accept... but it is the promise we receive... it may put us in great danger... but it is the promise we receive...  it may mean seeing all we have built for ourselves demolished... but it is the promise we receive... it may mean taking great risks, leaving behind the hope of reward... but it is the promise we receive!

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Comments

[Andrew Dowsett]

Hey,
I really appreciated the perspective you've shared here, and there's plenty there to take away and reflect further on, so I just wanted to 'drop by' and say thank you.
: )

[St]

Yeah I agree. Great sermon outline which I will ruthlessly pilfer some day. Thanks.