"Deeper Waters, Greater Results" - Luke 5:1-11 - February 4, 2001

A few years ago I had my first opportunity to go snorkeling. Lin and I were on the Yucatan Peninsula, along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It is one of the best places to see exotic marine life in that part of the world. While we received our gear we were instructed to go into the middle of the bay where the water was deep. To get there you first had to wade through muck and seaweed, then swim out about 50 yards.

The further I got the more I wasn’t sure if this was a good idea. My wife was having a great time and I kept losing her in the surf. One of my fins was lose and I kept struggling to keep it fastened to my foot. Without it I couldn’t remain stable enough to fend off the waves, keep my face under the water and breathe all at the same time. "Did you see that!" my wife exclaimed from a distance. "See what?" I nervously responded. I was just trying to keep from drowning. Although I tried not to let on I was afraid. The water was deep and the shore line seemed far away.

But, finally I got the hang of it. Lin and I then discovered a reef where many colorful fish were swimming around, undaunted by our presence. It was if we had our own personal paradise, complete with a warm sun, tropical breezes, beautiful scenery and hundreds of exotic fish that you only see in places like Sea World. But, had I stayed on the shore or stayed in shallow waters, my experience would have been limited to muck and seaweed. In that situation deeper waters yielded greater results.

When the disciples were instructed by Jesus to go into deeper waters and lower their nets the results were overwhelming. So much so that they needed help with all the fish. Simon was amazed at the great catch. Until then they had caught nothing. It was when they had the courage to go into deeper waters that their fishing expedition produced greater results.

What is it that prevents us from going into deeper waters? By deeper waters I mean more challenging situations. Perhaps a new job or career. Perhaps a major change in lifestyle like marriage, having children or buying a new home. Maybe you are contemplating retirement. Or maybe someone has invited you to participate in some volunteer program. The opportunity could be formal or informal. Perhaps you know of someone who could just use your help. The possibilities are endless.

Is it fear that holds us back? Jesus said to the disciples, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." He needed followers who had the courage and willingness to work with him in his ministry. He had to motivate the troops to overcome their fear and work in deeper waters.

Wendie Malick, the award-winning actress on the popular television show, Just Shoot Me, reports about her experience by venturing into deeper waters. A friend of hers, Mary Kay Place, invited her to go on a trip to Tijuana to build houses with a group from Brentwood Presbyterian Church in LA. She resisted but Mary Kay convinced her to go. It turned out to be a trip that transformed her life.

During the trip she met Richard Erickson, a builder, who also made trips to Africa to distribute medical supplies and build houses there as well. She wondered what help an actress would be in the Congo. But, she soon discovered she could relate to the children there and now her life has a new sense of purpose. Malick and her now husband Richard, frequently make trips to Africa and they are building an orphanage in Tijuana. Malick credits her husband with helping her find her center. She says "He is the most grounded and compassionate man I know."

By venturing into deeper waters Malick’s whole life has been changed. Although she is still an actress she feels a sense of purpose. Until she was willing to go deep her life was nothing but glamour. Her newest ambition is to make a guest appearance on the television show, West Wing, because she wants to be involved in programs that can "Make us better people." (Parade Magazine, Sunday, January 21, 2001)

You don’t have to travel abroad to experience deep waters. That can happen anywhere we live, work or play. But, fear holds us back. We spend most of our time doing the same old things, seeing the same people, spending time with people we know or living in our routines. The time and energy we spend living in familiar waters will only produce minimal results. Our "catch" may even come up empty. Going deeper yields greater results.

Perhaps you may not be afraid to venture out. You just don’t believe that anything very wonderful can occur. Simon had that problem. He had doubts about the power of God to make things happen. He had worked all night but had come up empty. When he witnessed the great catch of fish he was embarrassed. Jesus, however realized that Simon was feeling unworthy. But that didn’t stop him from telling Simon he was still part of the team.

This is not a story about some award-winning fishermen who were competing in a contest. This is a story about some ordinary people who were challenged to go into deeper waters. The results were amazing because God was in their midst.

God is always with us, loving us, forgiving us, wanting us to experience the joy of life by having the courage to leave our safe harbors and go where we have never been before.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio