Nevertheless

I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago and a Cubs fan, which is where and how I acquired most of my patience and tolerant demeanor.  I enjoyed the long train rides to the north side to watch games at Wrigley Field despite the agony of watching my beloved Cubs struggle in the pennant chase. They have not won a World Series since 1908!

I recently lost that patience and became frustrated.  I thought I had put in the work that would have dictated the outcome of a situation.  I could not believe it was unraveling.  Have you ever had a moment when you felt like you were literally “standing beside yourself” watching yourself “clown”?  Your work had not yielded the desired dividends.

In retrospect I feel like my actions questioned Jesus’ request. “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch. Luke 5:4” Like Simon I had put what I thought was a lot of work into this issue.  Simon had been slinging that net all night and caught nothing and he told Jesus so.   But unlike Simon I did not say “nevertheless, I will let down my nets.” Instead I just let go of the nets and expressed my frustration.

Subsequently, in my heart I heard “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Job 38:2-3”
I got a little shook up because I realize that God does not suppress or deny us questions, but He does require our obedience. He busted Simon’s nets with fish and so overwhelmed him that he left the business to “become fishers of men”.

Toiling all day and night and nothing… Nevertheless
More month than money… Nevertheless
My body is not responding as it once did… Nevertheless
Tired and frustrated... Nevertheless
Family not understanding the journey… Nevertheless
Friends not showing themselves friendly… Nevertheless

Lord God, thank you for being God and being God all by yourself.  I lift up my life and all its circumstances to you.  I will drop my nets where you direct knowing full well that if you choose to do so you will bust them with blessings.  Teach me to live a life that looks beyond my carnal circumstance and says nevertheless because I serve a risen savior…   Amen