If there is anyone who inspires me to dig deeper into my faith, it’s my sweet friend Suzie Eller. Her soft voice, gentle spirit and sweet soul leave an impression on all who meet her, which is why I selected her latest book Come With Me: Discovering the Beauty of Following Where He Leads as one of my favorite summer reading suggestions.
You can get a sampling of her heart and her writing below, and I know you’ll be inspired by the message she offered to share here. You might want to consider not only purchasing a copy of Come With Me, but signing up for her free online bible study of the book which begins on her blog on July 25th. (Click here for info about this bible study: Come With Me Bible Study)
And don’t forget to read to the end of the post to find out how to enter today’s giveaway!
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I had my Bible in my hand. My purse nearby. A car would soon take me to the airport. It was time to go, except I knew the Lord wanted me to share one more thing.
People were still sitting in their seats and talking. The Holy Spirit had sweetly swept over the meetings and people lingered. I walked to the microphone, knowing the words I would say before I spoke them. I had read them in the book of Luke earlier that week.
One more time.Â
Those were the words.
Throw out your nets one more time.
When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” Luke 5:4-5 (NIV)
Simon was exhausted. Casting the heavy nets into the water, and lugging them back in over and over was a chore. When the nets came back empty every time, it was disappointing.
But he did it.
He took the clean nets and pushed out into the deep and he let them down. Fish scrambled into the nets so quickly that it nearly capsized his boat.
I love that story, but as I stood in front of those women I understood what “one more time” might mean to them.
- Pray one more time over that hurting marriage or relationship.
- Believe one more time for that prodigal child.
- Take one more step even though it seems to lead to nowhere.
- Â Plant one more seed in that dream that seems futile.
My flesh rebelled against asking women – women of faith who had been casting their nets over and over again – to try one more time when so far, they had little to show for it. But God said it. . . and He knew them far better than I did, so I whispered yes where no wanted to take root.
I asked them for a few moments and I told them the story of Simon Peter. I shared how weary he was and how all that he wanted to do was to climb into his comfortable bed and forget about the night behind him.
I told them Jesus understood that Simon was tired. That the nets were heavy. That it was discouraging.
I told them that Jesus saw under the water line.
He saw what Simon Peter couldn’t, and it wasn’t just fish.
It was the deep.
Let’s go back to that verse in Luke 5:4-5. When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Jesus could have performed the same miracle in the shallow. He could have asked them to lay their nets on the shore and invite the fish to swim into the nets.
Instead the invitation was to push into the deep. In the deep it’s a partnership. We put our hands on the rugged boat and push out. We take a step out and God takes a step in as He meets us. For Simon, the miracle wasn’t the catch of fish but that he became a “catcher of men.” That’s the transformation that takes place inside of us as we push into the deep.
One more time.
We are asked to push out into the deep one more time in our calling or ministries.
We may want to throw our hands up and give up. But let’s throw our hands up in surrender instead. If our ministry is about Him, it’s not about how much we “catch” or how long it takes, but “one more time” is watching God work in the thousands —  or the one.
We are asked to push out into the deep in personal issues that seem like they’ll never change.
It’s scary when the past or an addiction or temptation or feelings bullies us.
It’s in the deep that we realize that he’s not going to let us sink. “One more time” means that He’ll pull us up, over and over again until we no longer feel that the deep is over our head. And this is the miracle. We turn around and start pulling others up with His help, because we get it. We know how hard it is, but we also know what it is to be free.
We are asked to push out into the deep one more time in our faith.
There’s not one believer that hasn’t experienced a time when it felt like God was a million miles away, or when they had doubts or hard questions. You may think you are the only one, but we’ve all been there.
It’s in the deep that we discover that he’s not angry at our doubts or questions. He’s not mad at us because we are in a low season of our faith.
“One more time” is a reminder that He knows exactly who He is. We’ve somehow been led to believe that faith is never wavering, never doubting, or never hitting a low season, when instead the fact that you reach for God in the midst of that describes faith beautifully.
Our doubts or anger or questions are welcomed as He reveals his Character in that low season. He walks with us until we reach the other side. That’s our invitation. Let’s accept the invitation from our Savior to discover what’s waiting under the water line, just for us.
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Enter to win a copy of Come With Me!Â
To enter today’s giveaway, leave a comment sharing how Suzie’s post spoke to you and/or why her book Come With Me might be the just the message you need from God to help fill up your heart this summer.Â
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Suzie Eller is the author of eight books including her most recent, Come With Me: Discovering the Beauty of Following Where He Leads.When she’s not writing, you can find her playing with her six grandbabies, all under the age of five. Find out more about Suzie at:
Blog:Â www.tsuzanneeller.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/suzanneeller
Facebook: https://facebook.com/SuzanneEllerP31/
Website: https://tsuzanneeller.com/
I would love to read this. I have been struggling with getting back to faith community nursing in my church. I initiated, and worked at it for some time. I have felt that God may be calling me back to it after a good deal of recovery, both mentally and physically the past two years. I have not been able to get back to my involvement secondary to hurts, fear of not meeting expectations and a aweariness of care taking. As a hospice RN for many years, I felt my work was my calling. But, since having to take a medical retirement a few years ago, I’ve been so fearful.
I would love this summer read book. I recently signed up with COMPEL and I’m trying to take in all I can as I believe the Lord is leading me to blog to bless. Frustration and fears are certainly weighing on me trying to figure it all out and questioning the voice I think I’m hearing. Your message is timely for me to dig in deeper, to hold on, and to not give up because only He can see beyond where I am today. Thank you for sharing! And encouraging, I love that!
I would love to read this. We have been going through a long rough season in our marriage, and I believe that the Lord is bringing us out of it, but I worry a lot that another “shoe will drop” and I will not be able to handle it. Trusting my marriage and my husband to the Lord has been so hard. I keep trying to “help” and it always seems to make things worse. Following His lead is where I need to be and this book could help remind me daily to maintain that focus.
This really hit home right now! Because I work part of the year, our mortgage is behind, our middle school daughter is becoming a”challenge”, family members …well, I’m not sure how to describe them.
My point is, Until I read this I was ready to pack it in! I thought to myself “give all of this another shot”.
It has renewed an inner strength in me through my faith.
I can’t wait to do this study!
“We’ve somehow been led to believe that faith is never wavering, never doubting, or never hitting a low season, when instead the fact that you reach for God in the midst of that describes faith beautifully.”
In a season of not only trial and sorrow, but being shut down from openly and honestly pouring out lament (which is NOT the same as grumbling or complaining!), by well-meaning Christian women who believe expressing anything other than “praiseallujah” at all times is a sign of not being a “good Christian,” Suzie’s book feels like a breath of fresh air from a trustworthy sisterfriend!
Yes, Lord I will keep on praying and never give up. I like”but one more time is watching God work in the thousands – or the one” (quoted from the article) Thank you for reminding us of that. “To God be the glory!”
I’ve read this story in Matthew many times but never really focused on the phrase “into the deep”. I will be stepping into new territory soon with my last child going away to college – no children at home. Not sure what the season holds for me, looks like or feels like. I definitely will want Jesus to come with me and I with him during this new season. I wonder where He will take me. I would love to read Come with me. Looking into bible study as well.
I have been praying & praying for someone who has lost his way & who has lost his faith. It has felt like no matter how many times I’ve prayed, that it wasn’t making a difference. It is so painful to watch this person who is dear to me hurt himself. I find such hope in the phrase “one more time.” Because when I feel like giving up, I love that–one more time. One more time & God will set him free.
I’m floundering. I know I have a purpose. I just can’t seem to find it…one more time. I’m in the season of life where it appears that my “spotlight” days are over (I was formerly a worship leader)…the lie I keep “hearing” is that I’m done. God put me on the shelf…out to pasture…but I reject that. Still, I can’t seem to find my “now”. I’m doing things, serving, etc….but nothing really feels like MY spot….I long to be doing exactly what God wants me to do…but as far as I can determine, He’s not telling me…yet. So one more time, I wait, I pray, I hope, I listen. Speak, Lord. (Perhaps He will speak through this book.)
I would love to read this book. I’m at a time in my life seeking my purpose, and have multiple opportunities to step up! I’ve been praying for guidance to spend my time doing what He wants. And I think I know the direction, but it’s scary! I know I need the confidence to step out and do what His desires are. I need to hear from Him, and I pray that this book will open my ears. Thank you for what you do in reaching out to us and help our lives focus!
Would love to read this book. What a great reminder that one more time might be the time that something actually changes.
I would love to read this book. I’m at an in-between season with some things in my life. And I have a friendship that is really hard to navigate. I feel God is saying one more time, push into the deep. I love what Suzie writes about the deep being a partnership. I know he will meet me there, but that word partnership makes it seem even more comforting. Thank you!!
“We are asked to push out into the deep one more time in our calling or ministries.
We may want to throw our hands up and give up. But let’s throw our hands up in surrender instead. If our ministry is about Him, it’s not about how much we “catch” or how long it takes, but “one more time” is watching God work in the thousands — or the one.”
THANK YOU for this message about not giving up! About surrendering to our MIGHTY God and watching Him work! A great encouragement to keep on keeping on, to never grow weary of doing good!! I would LOVE a copy of this book to read MORE of the story 🙂
I bought the book, and will plan to do the online study. If I win the copy of the book today, I plan to give it to some friends who just got some hard news – I would invite them to join the study, as well. I know none of us knows right know how this situation fits into God’s plan for them, but it may be His way of inviting them to come with Him, to lean on Him, and to trust Him.
one more time…..Believe one more time for that prodigal child.
For years my husband & I always told people we’d support their foster and adoption efforts, but neither was something we could do ourselves. Well, in the past almost 2 years we moved from “just helping” to “we want to be foster parents but we aren’t looking to adopt” to saying we need to give this sweet 12-year-old girl a forever home a month ago. This has been quite a journey as we’ve been obedient to God’s calling in this area. I think this book will be excellent as we go down this adoption road!
I am constantly asking myself, “Does God really want me to pray about this again, or does He want me to have enough faith to know that asking once is enough?”
I so needed this message of encouragement today and everyday. Having prodigal boys is very difficult. Continually praying for God to reach them and change their lives, that they would be surrendered to His will.
One more time. Wow If I quit now I will never know if that once more was the time when things would change.
Just what I needed to read today!
The comment ‘speak to the thousands…or speak to the one’ became my mantra several years ago in leading a ladies Bible study in our small church. 13 women started and the last few weeks it was one young Mom and me. My prayer each week was that God would move in the hearts of women who needed to be there and as the ‘numbers’ dwindled, He encouraged me by the faithfulness of the one and we developed a sweet friendship that most likely wouldn’t have happened if there had been the ‘more’. Would love to see another perspective from the new book! Thanks so much for sharing.
One more time… I needed that reminder today… my marriage, my wayward children, my job… Just give it one more day, one more try…
I was greatly encouraged the verses to “cast your nets one more time into the deep.”
I realized He want me to never give up, but give my heart, mind and soul to God for His direction. He promises never to leave me or forsake me. I know He will bring me into a blessed place where I can find rest and growth for my spirit in this transformation process. Daily I will cast my net of prayer one more time, trusting He will meet my needs and give me discernment and wisdom in my life.
Keep going. One more time. Always a helpful message, especially since a lot of tough stuff has been happening lately. Cancer sucks… holding on to Jesus and sweet memories
One more time. I sometimes don’t want to because my physical pain is always there and it’s so difficult to push on day after day. Suzanne’s words put me in tears for I must remember my faith.
I always say that God’s timing is perfect and reading this today has given me hope for my husband. He shared with me the other day that he is struggling in his faith, that he doesn’t feel God’s presence or see him working in his life. He said that he has all these questions that no one can answer and that he doesn’t want to ask the questions for fear that the depth of them could turn someone away from their faith. In reading the last segment of your post “pushing into the deep one more time in our faith” I knew that those words were just for him. I read it and said to myself, that’s exactly where he is right now and I pray that when I share this with him that God would allow it to reach the place deep inside him where he has erected a wall, and that God’s all encompassing love would bear so hard on that wall that it would crumble. Thank you Suzanne for being a vessel, for allowing God to fill you with words to take to a hurting world. I pray that He would continue to bless you in every venture that you take.
I’m probably too late to win but what a timely message for me. It expanded on some things the Lord is speaking to my heart! I’m rereading it today!
God wants you to deepen your prayer life. It’s costly, it involves sacrifice, it’s risky. Because as you move into intercessory prayer, God will deal with you first. He will have to purify you. He will need to burn up things from your life that are not pleasing to him.