the night had been long.
the nets, heavy with nothing.
the sea, silent.
the fishermen, exhausted.
simon had done this before.
he knew the patterns,
the places,
the patience required.
but some nights,
no matter how hard they tried,
the fish didn’t come.
like life,
no matter how hard we try.
then, Jesus stepped
into His boat.
at first, just another teacher.
at first, just another moment.
at first, just another story
being told from the shore.
then, the voice,
the invitation.
“put out into deep water,
and let down the nets
for a catch.”
simon hesitated. wouldn’t you?
he had already tried.
he knew how this worked.
no fish.
no hope.
no reason to believe.
but Jesus.
something about Jesus.
something about His words.
something deep in simon’s soul
made him say:
“because You say so, i will.”
then, the nets.
the weight.
the strain.
the catch so large
it threatened to break.
the moment of realizing:
this isn’t normal.
this isn’t possible.
this isn’t human.
astonishment?
yes, not just at the fish.
yes, not just at the miracle.
but at the One
who spoke
and made it so.
simon fell to his knees.
“go away from me, Lord;
i am a sinful man.”
not because he didn’t want Jesus.
but because he finally saw Jesus.
and seeing Jesus made him see himself.
his doubts,
his failures,
his smallness.
Jesus did not leave.
instead, Jesus called.
“don’t be afraid;
from now on you will fish
for people.”
just like that,
everything changed.
the boats,
the nets,
the life
they had always known,
they then left behind.
bcause once you’ve been astonished
by Jesus,
you don’t stay the same.
and you?
have you lost
your astonishment?
have the long nights
of empty nets
stolen your wonder?
have the failures,
the struggles,
the silence
made you stop believing?
have you forgotten what it’s like
to be amazed
by Jesus?
listen for Him.
step deeper.
try again, even when
it doesn’t make sense.
He is still speaking.
He is still calling.
He is still filling
empty nets and empty souls.
when you see Him,
when you really see Him,
you will be astonished
again.
Thanks so much for this, exactly what i needed.
Amazing poem.
The parts that really stood out to me were the questions “Have you lost your astonishment?” and “Have you forgotten what it’s like to be amazed by Jesus?”
Sometimes, our forgetful minds fail to remember what all God has done in our lives. If we could always remember the day we were saved like it was yesterday, we would be in much better shape I believe. We forget how merciful, kind, and loving our Father has been throughout our life.
God, forgive me when I forget. Help me to remember everything you have done. Amen.
This reflection reminds us that even when we feel tired or frustrated, trusting Jesus can bring unexpected blessings. It encourages us to be amazed by Him and to keep believing, even when things seem hard. When we truly see Jesus, it can change everything.
“Something about Jesus.
Something about His words.”
I enjoyed this poem. Jesus is different, and thank God He is. He is what we lack and more. He is powerful and amazing. He performs miracles and heals people. He saves. How wonderful is it that this God who is different from us and all-powerful, would call us to be a part of His work. I often feel like Simon, brought to my knees by the realization of my unholiness, but God is always there to lift me up and encourage me.
I long to always have an awe at the wonder of God, I pray that his beauty would never become dull to me. I want to always have the reverent spirit of Peter and fall to my knees when in his presence and say depart from me, when really I am saying save me. God inscribe your words “Do not be afraid” on my heart and let me live my life in light of your command to not be fearful.
“seeing Jesus made him see himself”, I couldn’t help but to sit with this line. It stuck out to me the most. I feel like I have experienced just this before. The want to turn away from Jesus after you see him because of how ashamed and guilty you are of yourself, yet Jesus reminds us that is not him. That is not what he says or how he sees us. The enemy tries so hard to hinder out view not only of ourselves, but of Jesus as well. Jesus wants us and loves us exactly as we are.
I really enjoyed this poem. This poem reminded me about perseverance and if you wait and believe, it will happen.
Forgetting about Jesus, feeling hopeless, a sense of no direction- Our Creator is amazing because no matter how we may “disappoint” Jesus, turn our shoulder, or forget about Him, He never forgets us. When we get caught up in our failures, our struggles, the silence- we must listen for Him. He is always waiting for us, speaking and calling to us. We must draw near again, for He is always there, but it is us who must make the change.
Great poem, it really gave me a lot to think about.
As an atheist I cannot fully agree with the concept of Jesus providing us all we need, but I do relate to the struggle of patience in life, doing what feels like the same thing over and over to no avail but if we continue with conviction eventually we will reach our goals.
This poem is truly beautiful. After reading this, it reminds me of just how transforming Jesus is and how deep his love is for us. This poem is a reminder that a real encounter with Him changes us– for the good! Its encouraging me to step out in faith again and be amazed yet again for what he can and will do for me.