So many people, including myself, regularly come to places in our lives where we haven’t been before. Often Jesus leads me into the unknown. If I am inexperienced in that area my natural tendency is to move back into the familiar.
The first time I went on a foreign mission trip, each day brought something surprising and unknown. It was the first time I was involved in deliverance of someone. I certainly did not see that coming, but it was helpful to the person we prayed for. It was the first time I baptized someone that was not in a church setting. It was also the first time I had been involved in reaching people for Jesus in a prison.
This happened two decades ago, and I haven’t realized until now what a blessing the Lord gave me then. Corrie Ten Boom writes, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
Peter Steps into the Unknown
As you follow Jesus into the unknown, He may not give you a blueprint or map, but He will guide you step-by-step along the way. Peter had no clue what was about to happen as Jesus taught from the boat. He had caught nothing all night, but Jesus told him to go to deeper water and let down his net for a catch of fish. Peter did and there was a great catch of fish. He let the Lord lead him and he was rewarded. Then the Lord took him out of his comfort zone and asked him to fish for people
Luke 5: 10bJesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.[1]
The Lord Leads Us into the Unknown
The Lord understands our fear of the unknown. He realizes that you may be in a situation that you’ve never passed through before and you’re afraid. It may be the first time you’ve been without employment. Maybe you’ve just been diagnosed with an illness, or your child is in rebellion. You’ve never been down this road before, and you don’t know which way to go or what to do. God will guide the way.
When we step into the unknown, we must trust the Lord in a greater measure than we ever have before. When we do, we find we grow in faith as we take those steps of faith. Like a good coach the Lord is all about stretching us to become better people so we can make a greater difference in the world.
God has more for us. God did not need Peter’s help to fish for men, yet He invited Him into His work. The Lord is all about inviting us into His work so we can grow and mature and become the people God has called us to be. Deuteronomy 31:8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” [2] Jesus leads me into the unknown and He can lead you, too. Listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-has-more-a-call-for-peter
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.