NET-Working
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I am watching “The Chosen” series again – starting from the beginning before I watch the new Part 3 series. As I watched Part 1, the 4th and 5th episodes on Sunday, I started thinking about NET-WORKING.
Networking is when people are exchanging information and ideas for a project. I have attended many business and ministry conferences and workshops where we were given the opportunity to chat with likeminded people and then come up with a solution to a problem or move forward in a project.
My East Texas children recently invited me to their conference where they had informal brainstorming sessions. Divided into groups, the attendees came together and demonstrated great ideas that came from networking.
Back to “The Chosen”, Part 1, #4 in the series. One of my favorite scenes is of a distraught Peter who is going out to fish once again. He HAD to catch a big load of fish because he HAD to pay his tax bill.
The tax bill isn’t mentioned in scripture, but it sure made sense of why he was desperate. Coming back to shore after fishing all night and no fish, Peter is washing his nets. He is “net” working. (Please forgive me for my puns.)
Jesus is speaking to a crowd of people. He is networking but the people are having trouble hearing Him. Jesus asks to borrow Peter’s boat for better voice amplification. Luke 5:4 gives us the networking exchange:
“When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Peter, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Peter answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. BUT BECAUSE YOU SAY SO, I will let down the nets.”
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. (This is one of my favorite scenes in the movie! It’s a must-see!)
“When Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’ Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.’ So, they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything, and followed Him.’”
That is what I call “networking” to the nth degree! Jesus networked for a single purpose: to introduce people to the Kingdom of God. No product, service, or personal friendship can meet the needs of people more completely than ushering them into God’s Kingdom. Jesus used networking to deliver to humanity the highest level of service that anyone has ever offered.
Everything Jesus did – was purposeful. He set the example for His disciples and that includes me and you. When we “cast” a purposeful smile and provide a gesture of friendliness, we are networking. When we help a friend in need, or stopping to pray for someone, we are introducing people to the Kingdom of God like Jesus did.
The Apostle Paul explained this kind of “networking” and the Kingdom of God this way in Romans 14:17-19.
“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God AND others will approve of you, too! So then, let us aim for harmony and try to build each other up.”
Networking for Jesus! Count me in!