MOON TIME NEUTRAL
People who are effective in unfavorable circumstances always fascinate me. When the odds stack up and the conditions are off, how is it possible to still come out bigger and better?
Jesus cursed a bare fig tree when figs were out of season! (Mark 11: 12-25)
And when He asked a fisherman to pull out again after an unyielding night on the water, was He suggesting that they could expect a catch in unfavorable conditions (Luke 5: 1-11)?
It begs the questions:
How can I be fruitful in and out of season?
How can I live a life that is not at the mercy of my conditions?
Luke 5 (NIV) Jesus Calls His First Disciples
5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 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.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
I don’t know a single thing about fishing but Google told me that fishermen are usually concerned with the four phases or quarters of the moon. You might be interested to know that the first-quarter and second-quarter periods are considered ‘good moon times’ for fishing.
No doubt as a trained fisherman Simon was well aware of moon times. Yet Jesus shows him that he can have an A-Game catch irrespective of the moon time.
Can my effectiveness in life be "Moon-Time-Neutral"?
Yes! Here’s how.
1. BE INDUSTRIOUS
These men were not clamoring for attention but Jesus noticed them. I think what caught Jesus’ attention is that these guys were industrious. They were diligent and hard working with an excellent work ethic.
If you want to be effective in all seasons of life, you need to resolve to be good at what you do. No sloppy work or half efforts; choose to be excellent, thorough and reliable. Whatever you do, do it well.
2. BE INTERRUPTIBLE
When we are already working hard and an interruption comes our way, we must be vigilant to stay responsive. What will we do with a proposal that looks more like an inconvenience than a breakthrough?
"Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like hard work.”
- Thomas Edison
These guys were tired and busy, but responsive to the challenge Jesus set for them. He was inconveniencing them greatly by asking them to pull out into the water again, and yet something in them was willing to be stretched and willing to be challenged.
3. BE ALL IN
Jesus said to him, "Put out into deep water."
Plumb the depths!!
Be fully immersed!!
All these men had were boats and nets and Jesus asked that what they had would be given into the depths.
Whatever you have, give it fully.
You can have as much of Jesus as you want. He will play by your terms.
Although His plan for you is found in the depths, he won’t push you or demand of you. The response is yours to make. You can offer as much as you’re willing to. My challenge to you is to be fully immersed.
4. BE IMMUNE TO ARROGANCE
Think about it. Jesus is a carpenter, and he’d just had a full night’s rest. Simon was a trained fisherman who’d just spent an exhausting and unyielding night on the water.
Simon had every right to correct Jesus’ suggestion. Fish were most likely not going to bite in these conditions and at this time of day. But his response pushed out arrogance and remained teachable.
If we live in arrogance our discernment is blocked and we miss out on the possibilities. We need to desire ears to hear and eyes to see.
5. STAY INQUISITIVE
The only way to ward off arrogance is to stay inquisitive.
When you know God’s character you know He’s is always up to something. You have this childish, daring, hopeful expectation to get in on it.
I think Simon looked at Jesus and thought: “Sure Mr. Carpenter, I (the trained fisherman) will take ludicrous fishing advice from you because I reckon you're up to something and I'm up for being part of it. ”
If you want to stay on the edge of what God wants for your life regardless of moon-times and season stay inquisitive, teachable, willing and flexible.
6. ACCEPT THE SOLO INVITATION
Look closely at verse five and see the transition Simon makes:
“Master we've worked hard all night and caught nothing; but because you say so I will let down my nets.”
Here is my paraphrase:
“I have been working as a team, but now you’re asking me personally.”
He wants to pull us aside on our own. He wants to get us alone.
Our methods were not wrong but perhaps the source of confidence was. Maybe we were comfortable in our skill, company or experience and He wants us to see something new.
Sometimes the fail-proof methods fail and then we must steal away.
I am telling you now, there will be seasons in your life where no amount of skill, experience or sweat will produce any result.
The only way to remain fruitful out of season is to be abiding in a supernatural life source
There are seasons where the only thing that will cause you to produce fruit is a private stealing away in the presence of Jesus alone.
7. BE STRICTLY INCLUSIVE
True fruit is found in what outlasts you; in what you pass on to others. We see in this account that these men called to partners to share the experience.
The more credit you give away, the more will come back to you. The more you help others, the more they will want to help you.
Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, 'What's in it for me?'
- Brian Tracy
Don’t ever catch yourself saying, “If you want a job done properly, you’ve got to do it yourself.” That may be true, but is stunts your impact and your fruitfulness.
If you want to live a life that is truly effective regardless of the moon-times and seasons, then never cease to include others.
