Putting out into the deep

I have just been watching a TV programme featuring the London Boat Show.  There, among the multi-million pound floating 'Gin Palaces' were some of the much smaller yachts and crews that are preparing for the next Round the World
Yacht Race - against the prevailing winds.
These volunteer crew members are paying up to £20,000 to be thrown about in some of the world's most dangerous seas and to live in a state of wet and bedraggled fear for weeks on end!
While - you will not be surprised to hear - I was not tempted to join them, I have a very real admiration for these people.  They are prepared to reach out for new experiences and to learn from these experiences.
This is a good analogy for the Christian life.  God calls us to 'put out into the deep'.  He encourages us to trust him and to rely on him as we face the new experiences of life.
As the followers of Jesus, we are encouraged to move out of the familiar comfort of the shallow water into the more challenging deep water, knowing that he is with us.
On one occasion a man on the beach called the disciples to do something new - outside of their normal experience - and to cast their nets on the other side of the boat.  They were rewarded by a big catch and recognised that the man on the shore calling them in this way was the risen Jesus (John 21:1-13).
'Stepping out into the deep' requires trust and faith in our heavenly Father.  Perhaps he is calling us to cast our nets on the other side and to trust him for the results.
'Putting out into the deep' is the theme of Education Sunday this year.  We look forward to welcoming representatives of the local schools on 8th February to share in their thinking around this theme.
 

by Graham Clarke.