By Zac Harmon-McLaughlin, Community of Christ Seminary Dean
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”
What would it look like if we changed our mentality from strategic-thinking problem solvers to people who approach every new situation with an attitude of deep, authentic love? What would it feel like to walk into church on Sunday, not with a critical gaze toward all that needs correcting, but instead, to see the people and let “I love them” be the first thought to enter our minds?
I’m not advocating that we let issues go or avoid the need to make course corrections, but I am advocating that we lay down our spirit of scarcity and pick up a spirit of abundance. The church is not dying, but our passion and attentiveness may be waning. God’s enduring Spirit has not left us alone, but our willingness to be attentive to the movements of God may be stifled. When we live in a place of scarcity, all seems to be lost. When we move to a place of noticing God all around us and in all things, our vision is transformed. We see abundance!
In Luke 5, Jesus encourages his disciples to cast their nets into the deep. The disciples are blown away by this. They have been fishing all night and have caught nothing. Then, because of an awareness of invitation, they cast their nets into the deep and catch so much that they almost sink their boat! Is this not how it works with life in the Spirit?
We have been “fishing” for years in shallow water, and Jesus has been shouting to us, “Try going deeper!” Our response is, “But Jesus, that’s so much work…and we’ve been working for so long…and we are tired!” The good news is this: God invites us into the deep—that place just beyond the point where we have exhausted our own efforts.
The abundance of a deep life with God is not something we create on our own. It is something we discover! What might happen if we choose the radical act of living with no agenda and courageously love our neighbors and explore the depth of each other’s lives?
Prayer Phrase
“…share abundantly in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
From Scarcity to Abundance
Take a deep breath and release your fear of “not enough.” Name one place of scarcity in your life, then name one way you already see abundance. Offer a simple prayer of gratitude: “God, open my eyes to your abundance.”
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.