President’s Perspective: Launch Out!

Luke 5 tells the story of Peter kneeling in the water, washing his nets, unaware of the throngs of people around Jesus. For Peter, along with James and John, the night had been long, and there was nothing to show in their nets.

Then Peter heard, “May I use your ship?”

Peter left his net and resumed his seat in the fishing boat, and listened as Jesus’ voice projected across the Sea of Galilee to the multitude on the bank.

Tom Tucker

Tom Tucker

Jesus finished His message and turned to Peter: “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a drought” (Luke 5:4).

It was a well-known fact that in the Sea of Galilee, fishermen caught fish at night in the shallow water, not in full daylight in deep water. Peter could obey Jesus and launch out, or he could follow his senses and decline. When Peter chose to place his faith in the powerful Word of God, his life would never be the same.

South Carolina Baptists, you and I have the opportunity to experience the miraculous power of God. We serve the same Jesus who spoke to Peter. We have access to His written Word, and we have the promises of His faithfulness to back us. Why then do we experience a lack of fruit in ministry? Our words are the same: “Master, we have toiled all the night [by our methods, with the means we know] and have taken nothing.”

Lack of resources is not our problem — we have the boat and net. There is no shortage of souls — the sea is wide open and ready. But we sit on the dock attempting to catch fish in shallow waters.

We must “launch out” at His command. Our response to God’s Word will either invite His blessing and power, or it will hinder it.

Great things will happen among South Carolina Baptists as we launch out in Jesus’ name. Our attempts to serve the Lord in our strength will yield empty nets every time. However, by launching out, we will experience miracles made possible only by the hand of God.

Are you ready to launch out?

— Tom Tucker is pastor of Sisk Memorial Baptist Church in Fort Mill and president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.