Scripture
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people 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. Luke 5:1-3
Observation
Jesus's word for frustrated workers can be found in the fifth chapter of Luke's gospel. Peter, Andrew, James, and John made their living catching and selling fish. Like other fishermen, they worked the night shift, when cool water brought the game to the surface. And, like other fishermen, they knew the drudgery of a fishless night.
While Jesus preaches, they clean nets. And as the crowd grows, Christ has an idea.
He noticed two boats tied up. The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets. He climbed into the boat that was and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Sitting there, using the boat for a pulpit, he taught the crowd. (Lk 5:2-3)
Jesus claims Peter's boat. He doesn't request the use of it. Christ doesn't fill out an application or ask permission; he simply boards the boat and begins to preach.
Application
He can do that, you know. All boats belong to Christ. Your boat is where you spend your day, make your living, and to a large degree live your life. The office you work in, the classroom where you study, the grocery store you manage, the family you feed and transport-this is your boat. Christ shoulder-taps us and reminds:
"You teach my classroom."
"You run in my store."
"You work on my job site."
"You serve my hospital wing."
To us all, Jesus says, "Your work is my work."
Our Wednesdays matter to him as much as our Sundays. He blurs the secular and sacred. One stay-at-home mom keeps this sign over her kitchen sink: Divine tasks performed here, daily. An executive hung this plaque in her office: My desk is my altar. Both are correct. With God, our work matters as much as our worship. Indeed, work can be worship.
Peter, the boat owner, later wrote: "You are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God's holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God" (1 Pet. 2:9 ).
A priest represents God, and you and I represent God. So "let every detail in your lives--words, actions, whatever--be done in the name of the Master, Jesus" (Col. 3:17 msg). You don't just drive to an office; you drive to a sanctuary. You don't attend just a school; you attend a place where God is at work. Your boat is God's pulpit.
Prayer
Lord, You own it all. My home, my work, my ministry - they are Yours O Lord. I am just the steward. You are the Owner. Amen
