Position

Position

According to the

Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

1. The way in which something or someone is placed or arranged

2. The place where a person or thing is or should be

The way we position ourselves is important and it is something we do daily. Position is important to our posture so we don't get hurt. For example, typically while I'm at the gym I work-out in a specific position depending on the equipment I am using to keep myself from getting injured. At work, when picking up young children, I have to squat in a certain position while picking up the child so I don't throw out my back. While reflecting on the different ways we physically position ourselves, we also need to look at the ways we spiritually position ourselves.

Luke 5:1-7

"One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”  And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking."

Simon had been out fishing, working hard ALL night with James and John. After catching nothing, Jesus comes along and tells Simon to get back in his boat, go out to deeper water and let down his net to catch some fish. Although Simon and his partners had spent all night working hard to catch fish, they were in the wrong position. They hadn't gone out deep enough in the water, so Jesus came and re-positioned them. But Simon ultimately had a choice in how he would respond to Jesus' command...I mean, after all...they were busy washing their nets and finishing up...they had worked hard and were probably exhausted and maybe even a bit discouraged. Have you ever been in a situation that has just completely worn you out and Jesus leads you out a littler deeper? To trust Him a little more? Simon could have said nah bro, but he chose to obey Jesus.

The simple choice of obedience caused both boats to overflow with fish, and with that we learn that there is blessings in our obedience (Deuteronomy 28). The two boats were literally almost sinking. I don't know about you, but I want the blessings of God to cause the boat of my heart to sink...to sink in His grace...to sink in His mercy...to sink in His faithfulness...to sink in His love. What if Simon chose not to obey? What if he chose to simply give up? What if he chose to not go that extra mile Jesus had asked him to go? He would have walked away from his blessing. He would have walked away from his abundance and it also would have affected his two fishing partners. Jesus specifically told Simon, not John and James. Our obedience is not just for us but also tied to those around us. Your abundance may just be in your obedience. 

Obedience...is...hard. Because of obedience, Jesus died. He submitted Himself to the will of the Father so that through Him, many may be righteous and many may be saved. God gives us a free will and will never force anything on us, but there is greater on the other side of your obedience. God promises to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever ask for, hope for or imagine. God is faithful. God is faithful. God is FAITHFUL.

I promise you. God is FAITHFUL. There are so many doors that swung open in my life by simply choosing to obey what God had called me to do. When I came home from winter break almost one year ago, He had placed it on my heart to not return to school for my last semester of my senior year...
"huh? God what do you mean?!" After all...I only had ONE semester left. I prayed about it, let it go and trusted that He would confirm and sure enough...He did. I had to leave everything I had known for 3.5 years...my classes, my job, my staff,  and my friends as I stepped out into the unknown..not to mention the amazing food. (If y'all know me you know I'm a foodie!) However, I do plan on going back to finish my degree...just in His timing, not mine. People have been questioning me all year about going back to school. I love school. I love learning. But for now, I am positioned right where He has called me to be for my current season. There is so much peace in that and I have experienced the faithfulness of God in ways like never before. When I began working in a childcare program as an Asst. Floating Teacher, the Lord had then placed on my heart that one of the home classroom teachers would be leaving and I would be replacing her. So, I had thought to myself, "well, okay cool God, your will be done!" and low and behold about a month later she gave her 2 weeks and within another 2-3 weeks my boss pulled me into her office and offered me the position. I told you already...God is FAITHFUL! I love my job. I love the children I get to spend my everyday with. I love the lessons I am learning. I literally get excited on Monday mornings to start a new week with these kids. I would do ANYTHING for them. Yes, I get tired. No, the road isn't always easy and no, I'm not perfect and make plenty of mistakes. But....God is faithful! He has placed me in a position where I'm able to learn and grow.

So, I encourage you to step out in faith. I encourage you to be obedient. Trust me, you don't want to miss what's on the other side.

Love,

Beth

If you need prayer or want to chat,

please email me:

bohandley2@gmail.com