Bail Out Blahs

Isn't it amazing how quickly we see the bail out monies go out and then within a few short weeks here they are again with hands outstretched? The numbers are both astronomical and staggering. Wave after wave of well intentioned give aways are flooding the streets of Washington and Wall Street.

I will pose a question for you to consider. What happens when there is NO more to give, print up or promise? What will those who have bought into this deception do when they realize they have been duped? Will they accept their plight as something they have been party to? Will they seek to blame everyone else for their poor judgement and lack of restraint? Where will they turn then? Once their dreams have been dashed and party hats put down will they see the futility of their cleverly devised schemes? I can only hope so and may I say pray so!

Today I was reading a little passage in God's word that struck me as very similar. The disciples had fished all night and had caught nothing. (Been there and done that, have you???) Nothing is worse than fishing for hour after hour and catching Nada (nothing, for those of you who are linguistically challenged). As they apparently made their way toward shore from the shoreline they hear a call. It's Jesus and He instructs them to cast out to one side of the boat. Now, I feel this......we've fished all night, caught nothing but a cold and we're tired beyond belief. The only thing I can think of is my big Dual King sized bed. It has my name on it and I got a date with it!!! Then, in perfect Jesus fashion, He shows up and tells us to drop the nets on the side of the boat.....Now, if my memory serves me correctly, He comes from a carpenter family. Not a fishing family. What does He know, we think to ourselves. Now, Peter, not known for thinking things through, just HAS to remind Jesus that he has fished all night with NO luck. But as His request, we will let the nets back out!!!

Have you ever questioned what the Lord was asking you to do? Ever thought...this will not work??? I have already tried it? No luck....If not then maybe you should be writing this and not me! Far too many times I have wondered what in the world was HE doing??? I am sure Peter was having one of those moments. WHAT???? OOOOOKKKKKK! Can't you just see him doing this. Perhaps even rolling his eyes to the other guys in the boat!!!

Guess what?! Yep, it happened! Sure enough, they caught fish. Not just a few but so many they could not even pull the nets in. They had to call for back up! Can you just imagine all of their faces. Shock, disbelief and joy swept through them all. Peter was especially shaken. He actually made his way to Jesus and fell before him and admitted his sin.

You see, Jesus had made their struggle what it really was. An issue of the heart! So many times we fight, struggle and fail miserably only because we do not see it as a heart issue. It is always a heart issue. WE NEED JESUS! Not just once in the beginning but every moment of every day. HE longs for us to come to Him!!!

Until we realize our need, we will be like the disciples, and may I say the world, including Wall Street and Washington. We will frantically struggle with very little success until we finally obey the Lord and do it HIS way. Until then all we can actually expect is "bail out blahs." Ready to give up yet? If not, get ready to work all night!

Blessings,
Bruce