Definition of Insanity
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 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.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. Luke 5: 4-11
Einstein is quoted as saying that insanity is “doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.” It’s kind of funny, but true.
For example, failing to budget our income and pay our bills, over and over, results in financial chaos and calls from our creditors. So, wanting to get into a better place financially, and still NOT using a budget and paying bills before going on a shopping spree – or vacation – does not change the end result. No peace in our finances.
I know I need to lose weight, and I also know I don’t always have the best self-control. Buying desserts and goodies when I grocery shop results in my consuming them, and not losing weight! And the more of them I eat, the more I want. I KNOW I can’t eat just one! So, something has to change … probably several somethings … so that I can lose some weight. It helps to buy healthy food and avoid the junk. And I definitely don’t need to visit a bakery!
People knew this truth way before Einstein! Fishermen in Jesus’ day knew this. That is why Peter told Jesus he’d been fishing all night and hadn’t caught anything. Doing it again wasn’t going to change the outcome.
Or was it?
Peter, as tired as he was, went back out on the lake to fish, because Jesus said so. “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” And they all (except Jesus) were astounded at the catch of fish. It almost sunk their boat!
Now maybe Jesus told them a different place to fish, or maybe He caused a lot of fish to gather where they threw the nets. I tend to believe it was both. Jesus told them to go into “deep water” and to let down their nets. I don’t think their nets could reach too deeply, so He probably led them to a different, deep sight, and made the fish come up to where they could be caught with their net.
The truth is, no matter what we do or how many times we’ve done it, it ALWAYS works better when we do something because Jesus said so. Even if we can’t see how it can possibly work. Jesus can.
So, it you’ve tried something and failed over and over again, listen to Jesus. And when He says “Put out into deep water” again. Go for it. And do it the way He says to do it.