Gone Fishin'

Fishing? In January? Sign me up. Would love to be out on a lake stalking some largemouth bass or northern pike, maybe jigging for some walleye. My 16yo and I spent some time in Bass Pro Shop the other day and it definitely got the fishing bug going. Fortunately, it's been a fairly mild winter and we've been able to spend some time outdoors lately, so that helps.

Most people today are all like, "New Year, New Me" but the reality is that "new you" will only last a couple weeks at most. Life changes made solely based on a calendar date are the least likely to take effect.

Why do most people fail at making changes in the new year?


I think it has something to do with biting off more than they can chew.

"I'm going to the gym every day at 5am." (until their body cannot move at 5am the morning after their first gym session)

"I'm eating nothing but salads." (until about 3pm on the first day of eating nothing but salads, or sooner if a coworker brings donuts)

I've frequently read that making smaller changes will lead to better success, and I saw that principle in Scripture as I was scanning through my 2019 journal.

When Jesus called Peter to come and follow Him, He did not start out by asking Peter to walk on the water or heal a lame man. He asked Peter for one thing.

Simple obedience.

And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.  And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.  And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. Luke 5:3-6  

One of the truths I learned that I shared in When You Can't See the Shepherd was that God wants to do something awesome in our lives, but that He wants us to step out in faith first.

Eventually, Peter did some awesome amazing things for the Lord...but it all started with a simple request: "Let down your nets".

What small step of faith is God asking you to take this year? Go ahead and take it. It will be amazing to look back in 2021 and see the big places that small step led to.