DEEP WATER

Jesus climbed into Simon Peter's boat and said, "Put out into deep water." This would end up being the exact day and occasion that Jesus would call Peter to follow Him as a disciple (Luke 5:4-11). You talk about deep water! Peter thought he was simply hitting the deep for another fishing excursion, but he would leave his boat that day as a "fisher of men."

I've been thinking about Jesus' phrase, "Put out into deep water." It became real last week as I kayaked through the breath-taking San Juan Islands in Puget Sound with a few good friends. One of the things that drew us there was the possibility of paddling with the orcas that reside in these waters off the coast of Washington state and Canada. The deep channels of the Sound provide a perfect habit for killer whales.

The closest we came to the orcas, while in our kayaks, was about two miles. They swam by at 10 knots, closely followed by a procession of high speed whale-watching boats. Not quite the death-defying encounter we had imagined. It was an adventure trying to spot them through our binoculars, though!

To kayak with orcas on that day would have required paddling into deep (very deep) water. But niether the conditions of the channel nor our timing would allow it. Deep water is risky. Deep water can be dangerous. But deep water is usually where the "orcas" are.

Even though Simon Peter was skeptical, having fished the entire night before with no luck, he listened to Jesus and set sail for deep water to let down his nets. He raked in so many fish that his nets began to break and his boat nearly sunk under their weight. The Bible says he was "astonished" by Jesus' power. Peter's life and mission in life changed from that very moment on. But it would never have happened if had he not put out into deep water.

Before leaving the San Juans we had our close encounter with killer whales. After a long day of paddling we set up camp on an island with a lighthouse. The problem was that the lighthouse was on the other side, a 5-mile hike away. We weren't sure it was worth it...until we heard the orcas may pass. We hit the trail. Half-way we met a couple on their way back from the lighthouse. They informed us that the orcas had already passed and we'd missed them! But we decided to press on, to put out into deep water, so to speak. The result? Beholding 27 orcas swim past our perfect perch on the bluff just a few yards away! Bulls slapped their tails and fins. Mothers and calves emerged and dove in unison. The spray bursting from their blowholes was so loud you could feel it.

Question. Is Jesus asking you to put out into deep water? Where is God calling you to take a risk in life, in faith, in relationship, in vocation, in obedience? You may feel a little skeptical about it. You'll certainly have to press through disappointment and discouragement to get there. But life's greatest experiences usually take place in deep water!