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Our lives are platforms for God

by Chilee Ahmed
5/19/2020 / Christian Living

God is a spirit in search of willing bodies to use as His platform, a tabernacle He can dwell in and graciously reach out to numerous people. God can only reach men by using men who have selflessly yielded themselves to Him. Read this, “One day as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding round Him and listening to the word of God”, Luke 5v1. The crowd was eager to listen to Jesus’ teaching but, the only available space required that He stand. We all know that, serious issues are better discussed and understood when sitting down: the subject matter under discussion required proper explanations and adequate illustrations where necessary. In Luke 5v1 Jesus had a need for a platform, a place He will be properly positioned to be clearly seen heard by an overwhelming crowd: that was His greatest need for the moment, His heartbeat. Then something happened! “He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets” V2. Note the location and description of the boat; unoccupied and at the water’s edge. Was this statement connotatively used? I don’t think so, because, until a man has come to the edge of himself, emptied himself for God, he may not be a usable instrument in hands of God.

Man’s self-centered activities has to end for God’s planned agenda to begin. Here is another interesting thing that happened, “He got into one of the boat”, the one belonging to Peter. Was this choice deliberate or a mere coincidence? How certain was Jesus, that Peter will be willing to let go his boat at such frustrated time? Was it a case of those he for-knew? Sure, He had adequate knowledge of Simon Peter even though, he never knew Christ. Jesus is not a gambler, He knows those who are his, those that will be willing and obedient to do his bidding. This explained why he undoubtedly went ahead “and asked him to put out a little from shore...” v3. Jesus, even though He is the Lord, knows His bounds and limits when dealing with men. He knows who to push further and who not to at every point in time. Interestingly, as Jesus had anticipated, Simon Peter consented to the master’s request not minding his experience all through the night. He willingly offered his boat to the master. When Jesus got the platform He needed, Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat”, V3.

Mission accomplished, what a joy! Therefore, “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the net for a catch”, v4 - An instruction that sounded a bit ridiculous to an experienced and skillful fisherman like Simon Peter. To further convince Jesus of his skill and hard work, “Simon answered, “master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught nothing”, v5. But instead of arguing further as a professional fisherman, our brother, Simon Peter said, “But because you said so, I will let down the nets”, v5. Though Simon Peter didn’t see the need for trying anymore but, because the Lord said so, he willingly let down the net, an attitude of submission. Amazingly, “when they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish”. It was such an amazing catch, a never happened before in all his years of fishing: so much “that their nets began to break”, v6.

Jesus is the Word in Him all things are possible. He does not waste His or anyone’s resources including time. Any time given to God is never wasted, but will be adequately restored. Neither man’s skill nor hard work can equate God’s grace. It is grace and not man’s effort that makes the difference. God knows where our blessings are hidden, we only need to willingly submit to him and wholeheartedly follow his voice. We struggle a lot because often times we are the ones leading ourselves. Is God using you in any way, while your friends are busy making money? Never mind, be focused and fervent, he that called you is not a task master, he will reward you in your due season. Note that, when the master was done with the boat, Simon and his men could not cope controlling their catch, “So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. Incredible! Once empty but almost sank with fish. The other boat was equally filled. God’s blessings are obvious and contagious even to those not with him, so that all may see and glorify Him. The writer of Psalms 26 V 2-3 said, “Then it was said among the nations, “The lord has done great things for them”. Such amazing acts of Jesus to an unworthy man like Simon Peter, made him “… fell at Jesus’ knees and said “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!. No man experiences God’s mercy and remains ‘standing’: the more we experience His glory and mercy, the more we bow in humility. Simon’s encounter with Jesus no doubt ushered him into his place of destiny. Jesus said to him, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people”, v10.

Simon Peter willingly offered his boat to Jesus without expecting anything in return. His motive was right before God and he was adequately blessed. Beloved of God, do we willingly answer God’s call for the love and passion we have for God, or is it for material gains? Our motives matters so much in God’s kingdom business. Remember, God cannot be mocked, [Galatians 6:7]. We cannot experience God’s power as His witnesses when our motives are corrupt. God does not waste his grace. He only releases His grace to those that truly loves him and are zealous and passionate for his house.

Dearly beloved of God, our lives are God’s platforms. His heartbeat is to reach the unreached. But He cannot do that without our obedient and cooperation. Apostle Paul said “For we are God’s fellow workers. Those who have not known the Lord are fields waiting for the planting of God’s word. This is what Apostle Paul mean when he told the Corinthians, you are God’s field, you are God’s building, 1 Corinthians 3v9 [NKJV]. Let us constantly bear in mind that,“ We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them”, Ephesians 2v10 [NKJV}.

Chilee Ahmed is a Christian sister whose passion is to serve the Lord. She is a teacher, wife and mother.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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