When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” – (Luke 5:4)

Today’s post is the first one written here in my new study. It’s a mess, of course, and we are still many days from being completely moved in. But our Internet connection is now on Saint Patrick Street so this is where I will be working.

I really am thrilled to be sitting here, working at my desk again for the first time in a long time, looking out through the old wavy glass of these period windows and onto the front porch.

All I have time for is this short moment of gratitude and peace.

I started today with the men’s Bible study and we talked about Luke Chapter Five and a series of stories where Jesus helps Peter take in an amazing catch, touches people no-one else will go near, forgives the sins of a paralyzed man, eats dinner with “tax collectors and sinners,” and is criticized for “eating and drinking” while others “fast and pray.”

But this is what resonated most with me: “Simon, put out into deep water and let down the nets…”

“Derek,” Jesus is still saying, “you play too much in the shallows. Put out into deep water.”