The closer we get to Jesus, the more we find out about the dreams in our heart.
Peter, Jesus' close associate, is a case in point. Peter -- the fisherman, family man, not a very religious person -- didn't know God had an amazing dream for him that included being the spiritual leader of a movement destined to change the world. Probably the biggest dream he had dared to dream in his life up to that point was bringing in such an amazing haul of fish that he could retire early and pass the business on to his son.
All of that changed when he started getting curious about an itinerant rabbi who was different than anyone he had ever met. He started
hanging around Jesus.
Luke 5:1-11 shares the story of Peter and his business partners fishing all night, but without one catch. After that disappointing night of work, Peter was washing his nets, a tedious job, ready to go home and get some shut eye. But Jesus interrupted his mundane world and asked Peter if he could use one of the boats for a pulpit. The crowds were getting so big and Jesus needed to put a little space between him and
the people in order to continue teaching them.
Peter obliged. We don't know how reluctantly (remember he was tired), but apparently he was a generous guy and believed in what Jesus was doing. After the boat loan, Jesus wanted to recompense Peter for his time and trouble. All of the sudden, Peter’s
dreams come true, and he has such a boat load of fish that his ship starts to sink!
Even as one dream is coming true, Jesus begins uncovering another dream in Peter’s
heart. “From now on, you will catch men,” He tells him. In the other gospel
accounts (Matthew and Mark), Jesus said, “Come, follow me and I will
make you a fisher of men.”
Jesus is offering him a new dream! A future that is full of risk. A dream Peter had never even considered, until he gets close to Jesus, the Dream Giver.
With the uncovered dream, though, come voices in Peter's head trying to keep him from the
dream: “Go away from me Lord; I am a
sinful man!” Peter protests. The Message Bible puts it this way: "I'm a sinner and I can’t take this holiness! Leave me to myself."
Whenever we pursue a dream, or even consider the possibility of a better life, these voices come to us. “There’s sin in my life. I'm too young. I'm too old. I'm not educated enough. Where will I get the money? Who would want to hear what I have to say?"
Peter had to overcome those voices with another Voice: Jesus telling him that He was going to change him, make him into something. “Follow me and I will MAKE you fishers of
men.” (Matthew 4:19) We have to get close enough to Jesus to recognize the dreams He has
put in our heart and then let Him change us into the person who can realize those
dreams. We have to let Him make us into somebody different than we are now.
Peter was willing to take that risk, and follow that Voice. Are you?
