“Go out where it is deeper.” Luke 5:4 NLT

“Effort does not always equate with effectiveness.”

My thoughts today are about “shallow lives.”

Your life can be so rich and satisfying, if you unwilling to settle for things superficial. A superficial life is quicker and simpler, but will never provide the fulfillment you are meant to enjoy. Too many people are content to live shallow lives, lives without much depth and therefore with little consequence. I think shallow lives result from superficial lifestyles. Too often we lightly regard matters we should greatly regard, and highly regard things we should lightly regard.

Many lives appear a mile wide but in reality are only a foot deep. Your number of Facebook friends is no indication of having meaningful friendships. Those take time and attention. You can Google an unimaginable volume of information and still lack knowledge and wisdom. That takes a learner’s heart and life experience. Traditional media offers quick sound bites about global complexities for people who would rather be told what they should think than to actually have to do so. That requires thoughtful reflection. In “Christian” America, there are many people who know a lot about God, but far fewer who really, personally know God in a way that shapes their lives and everyday lifestyles. Dabbling in spiritual matters can never satisfy your soul. There are important areas of life that are truly, “go big, or go home!”

Shallow lives result in surface relationships with spouses, children, friends, and God – producing fragile marriages, broken families, mere acquaintances, and lean, empty souls. People’s lives are not usually from lack of effort, but from lack of direction. Most people work hard at life, family, and relationships. The problem is this: effort does not always equate with effectiveness.

People really haven’t changed much since Jesus walked the roads and shores of ancient Palestine. Read Luke 5:1-11. When a crowd pressed to hear Jesus, he commandeered an empty boat from which to teach. Men nearby had fished all night, but had nothing to show for their efforts but weariness, a wasted day leaving them to beach their boats, clean their nets, and try it again the next day. Life can be like that, large investments of time and energy with little return. Jesus not only has the answer to meaningful life; Jesus is the Answer!

Jesus offers an invitation to people exactly like that – “weary and burdened.” See Matthew 11:28-30 NIV. Jesus’ advice to those tired fishermen might be the same for today’s dissatisfied lives, left at the end of the day or week with only tired bodies and empty hearts. “Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets and you will catch many fish.” Luke 5:4 NLT.

If life is empty for you in the shallows, you are missing what God has available for you a little further out, and a little deeper. The result? Those seasoned fishermen were “awestruck by the size of their catch, as were the others with them.” Luke 5:9. God has bigger and better things for those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Matthew 5:6 NIV. A large, fulfilling life is not found by the overly cautious, perennial doubter, or those who try to live without some measure of personal investment, sacrifice, and risk.

Here’s how God is described, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!” Romans 11:33 NIV. The deeper things of God are reserved for the sincere, not superficial, inquirer. Read 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NLT. God’s best is never found by people content to live in the shallows. See Ezekiel 47:1-10 NKJV.

My prayer for you today is that you cultivate a depth of life, in everyday life and spiritual life.

Devotionals 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, deeper waters, Facebook, Google, lifestyles, Luke 5, Matthew 5, Romans 11:33, shallow lives, Simon Peter, superficial

“I will instruct you . . in the way you should go.” Psalm 32:8 NIV

“God is not Google! Google is about information; God is about relationship.”

My thoughts today ask “what’s next?”

Have  you ever wished you could see into the future? Sometimes you just don’t know what to do, which way to turn, or where to go. Life will have a few of those anxious places along the way. Don’t panic. You are not lost; you may just be momentarily confused about what’s next.

Actually, I can think of a few good things about being at such a directional junction occasionally. That could mean that you’ve accomplished something where you’ve been and are ready for what’s next; that’s a good thing. It could also mean that you know God has more for you; you’re not finished yet. That’s a good thing too. Or it could mean that God is waiting for you to ask Him for His wisdom and direction. That is a very good thing!

When you don’t know what’s ahead for you, God does. The Bible says God “declares the end from the beginning.” See Isaiah 46:9-10 NLT. I think He could be quite helpful when making your decisions, don’t you? Still, you have an important part to play in discovery.

Your future is filled with near-unlimited possibilities. Some measure of realizing those is up to you; all of your doing so will include your depending upon God. When you think you best know what’s next, you are just guessing really. Sometimes you guess well; sometimes you guess wrong. God is never guessing.

The internet is amazing. A Google search can reveal a mind-boggling amount of information, giving you access to anything and everything contained on the internet. The problem is I rarely know how to ask the right question to obtain the answer I need. Wouldn’t it be simple if you could Google anything you wanted or needed to know from God? Really now, do you always know how to specifically ask God when you are unclear about what’s next?

God is not Google! Google is about getting information for you (and making money from advertisers); God is about having a relationship with you. He wants you to know what’s next for your life, but first, God wants you to know Him. “The steps (and stops) of the Godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives.” Psalm 37:23 NLT.

I would be sad if my wife or family were only interested in information from me more than knowing who I am. Because of our relationship, I am willing and wanting to share anything that would be helpful for them to live wisely. Why would I want less for those I love? “No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right. O Lord, happy are those who trust in You.” Psalm 84:11-12 NLT.

Understanding that the primary intention of God is for you to truly know Him, here’s what I have learned about knowing and doing the will of God. When you want to do His will perfectly and completely, God will direct you to what’s next. “I know, Lord, that a person’s life is not His own. No one is able to plan His own course . . Trust in the lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Jeremiah 10:23 NLT and Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV.

Your next step should always be in the direction of God’s will. Read Romans 12:1-2 NIV. On a very practical note, He does not tell you all the steps all at once; God tells you what your next step will be. If you knew everything ahead, you could either become fearful or fascinated. If fearful, you might refuse to move from where you are and be disobedient. If fascinated, you could rush too far too fast and miss the experience along the way that’s necessary for your success. The matter is simple: trust God for what’s next.

My prayer for you today is that you know God and trust Him with your life.

Devotionals God's will, Google, guessing, Isaiah 46:9-10, Jeremiah 10:23, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 32:8, Psalm 84:11, relationship, Romans 12:1-2