Lesson #4 Nets Must Be Drawn

It is not enough to cast a net; it must also be drawn in to get the fish. So our faith has to be drawn in. What do I mean by drawn in? I mean to be patient…it takes time to draw in a net. When the fishermen of Jesus’ day cast their nets, these were no small nets. It was a long process to drag a 20 – 300ft net in from the deep to shore. So we have to have patience when it comes to our faith. Just because we don’t see results immediately does not mean God is not working.

I went fly fishing for the first time not too long ago with my father-in-law. I had more fun learning how to cast the line than reeling it in and catching fish. We can’t throw our net (faith) in the deep and expect to catch something right away; sometimes, it takes time. I am a pretty impatient guy at times, and it is hard for me to wait, especially when I fish. I tend to throw the line and reel it in too fast. I don’t give the fish enough time to bite. Our faith works the same way; we have to have endurance. I love what Hebrews says…

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

We must run with perseverance; that means hanging in there. Don’t grow weary and lose heart when you are believing God. Philosopher Thomas Carlyle said, “Endurance is patience concentrated.” The ability to “hang in there” is one of the toughest yet rewarding traits. Our impatience can cause us to steam ahead and damage what could have been if we had been patient. It is like the Captain who ran too far ahead of the Calvary and was mistaken for the enemy; it didn’t turn out too well for him.

Be in step with God’s timing. Don’t rush your faith. Make sure you stay the course and draw in your faith net to catch what God has for you. I wonder how close we are to catching the fish God has for us, but we pull our faith out too soon. Just because you don’t see results immediately does not mean God is not working. Everything will unfold when they are supposed to if you are in God’s timing. Don’t go by your watch; go by God’s watch. Patience is about TRUST.