Let Down the Nets Again

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            In Luke chapter 5 we read of an exchange between Jesus and Peter that has become precious to me.  After a long day of fishing, Peter and other fishers were washing their nets.  At the Lord’s request Peter launched out in his boat, and from the boat Jesus taught those who followed him.  After the lesson the Lord said to Peter, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” 

            Peter, an experienced fisherman, replied to Jesus, “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”  Obediently, Peter let down the nets again.  The scriptures then record that, “when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.  And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.”

            This story became meaningful for me because of how it helped me as a missionary.  My mom sent me a talk-on-CD by S. Michael Wilcox entitled, “Walking on Water: When the Lord Asks the Impossible” (I highly recommend it) at a low point in my mission.   It was at the time I described in an earlier blog; about nine months into my mission, when nothing seemed to work out for several long transfers (approximately four and a half months).  After those transfers, and after talking with my mission president (when he gave me the advice I blogged about before) I got this CD.  

            In his talk, S. Michael Wilcox shared the story of Peter, then a story from his mission in which he and his companions felt prompted to tract a building that they had already tracted recently.  Against reason, they followed the prompting and found a wonderful investigator.  He then taught the lesson that sometimes we try to do what the Lord asks of us and it doesn’t work out, but if he asks us to try again and we do, then he will bless us with miracles.

            I remember feeling the spirit so strongly as I listened.  I went to my room and prayed that, despite how discouraged I felt, I would let down my nets again; I would dare to hope again even with the possibility of disappointment.  Shortly there after a girl came to English club that the Lord had prepared.  She is an amazing disciple of Christ!  I had the privilege of baptizing her, got to work with her a year later when she served as a branch missionary, and got to be there when she went through the temple before reporting to the Provo MTC.

            I wanted to share this with you soon-to-be-missionaries, and wanted to beg you, please, never give up!  I know the Lord is preparing people, and no matter how hopeless your situation might seem, if you sincerely try, your efforts will not be wasted.  So just remember, when you feel like calling it quits, let down your nets again.