Unclean Lips and Fishing Nets

I have heard the phrase “The Lord works in mysterious ways” practically all of my life. I find it interesting that I’ve heard that so much and yet I’m still surprised by the God of the Bible. I’ve come to realize that may be the point. There are two stories in the Bible that have helped me in this realization. Both involve people we might not have chosen if given our choice. Both have similar outcomes.

In Isaiah 6, the prophet sees the LORD’s throne room and is understandably overwhelmed at the sight. The seraphim in the passage is hiding his face, his feet and seems to speak uncontrollably about the holiness of the God. The ground shakes and the whole room fills with smoke at the “voice of the one who called out.” Isaiah is compelled to confess his unholiness before the LORD.

In Luke 5, we read of what seems to be a chance meeting between a teacher and weary fisherman. The teacher sought a platform and some distance to continue educating the masses. Jesus arrived looking for something else and it wasn’t necessarily fish but the fishermen and a particular set of skills. A set of skills that after a night of casting and coming up empty, they might not have had much confidence in. 

This lack of confidence ties both of these stories together. Although separated by hundreds of years, their response to God’s holiness and power in comparison to their sin and lack of ability are very similar. An acknowledgement of their shortcomings and God’s overwhelming greatness led to an unexpected outcome. Their confessions led to an invitation. An invitation to present God’s truth. God’s truth that Isaiah and Peter both experienced in mysterious ways. These revelations initially caused them to fear and in Peter’s case plead for Jesus to leave him. That is not the plan.

The plan is for both of these men to present the message of God despite their limitations. Actually their limitations will accentuate the important message that “All things are possible with God.” A message as important today as it was in the first century and before. A message that continues and will continue to build upon itself. Peter would witness much of what Isaiah prophesied. We’ve come to a knowledge of who Jesus Christ is because of the witness of Peter and the other “untrained, uneducated” disciples. God used rainbows, prostitutes and even donkeys to bring his plans to fruition. He certainly has a plan and purpose for you. Maybe today you don’t know what to say or what to do. Maybe your nets are just empty and smell bad. Whatever you have, commit it to the LORD and look at the ways “your weakness” is used as a strength for the Kingdom. 

Travis