God And Work
by Dan Jones, M.D.
Luke 5:4-7
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.
I enjoy fishing – when the fish are biting. When they aren’t biting, but the mosquitoes are biting, fishing is no fun for me. I can’t imagine fishing as an occupation. I’ve not been around professional fishermen much, but I admire their patience and tenacity.
Taking advice is not easy for most of us. My sense is it is tough for many fishermen to accept advice graciously. My late father-in-law was a master fisherman – as a hobby. He was a pastor by vocation. One day I watched an encounter between my father-in-law and a professional fisherman. We were returning to the dock at the same time. My father-in-law and I had a good stringer of fish. The professional had encountered a bad day of luck and was without a fish. Now my father-in-law couldn’t resist the urge to make the most of the situation. He proceeded to offer advice to the professional fisherman on how he might do better the next day. The gentleman said almost nothing in response. But by the look on his face, you knew he could have bitten a nail in half.
Simon knew this itinerant preacher was a carpenter by trade – not a fisherman. When Jesus offered his advice to go back out to the deep waters and let down his nets, Simon responded with some irritation that they had been fishing all night without success. He must have thought how presumptuous of this carpenter to give him advice. It was now daylight and Simon was confident no fish could be caught.
But Simon was obedient, though it was a reluctant obedience. And he was rewarded for his obedience with a large catch of fish. In my work as a health professional, it is not always easy for me to take guidance and advice, even from my Heavenly Father. I want to be self-sufficient and depend on my training and skills in my work. But, just as Simon benefited from obeying Jesus, I can benefit in my professional life from following God’s will and guidance.
Lord, humble me and make me obedient to your will in my work.
Dan Jones, M.D., MACP, FAHA, a board-certified Internist, a former medical missionary to Korea, professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Chancellor of the University of Mississippi until 2015. Dr. Dan Jones is a member of CMDA.
Dr. Jones welcomes any comments or questions about what he has written and can be reached at - djones@umc.edu
Rounds with the Master, Spiritual Pearls from the Great Physician Devotionals are released every Monday and Thursday.
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