The Sea of Galilee

“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing (John 21:3, NIV).

On my way home from work one afternoon, I called a friend I hadn’t talked to in a while. This particular friend has been part of my life for over ten years now. She and her husband have watched me grow up in a lot of ways, but especially spiritually. We spent some time catching up, and eventually, the conversation turned to relationships, dating, and singleness.

She knows I desire to be married and have a family in the future, so she often shares stories of encouragement whenever the opportunity arises. This conversation was no different as she recounted stories of several women that she’d talked to at her church recently. Neither of them had met their husbands or had a family of their own until their mid to late thirties. I appreciate and love that she cares enough about me to continue hoping and praying for the desires of my heart.

My friend: Just keep trusting.

Me: I know. I will do my best. Everyone always tells me there are plenty of fish in the sea, but not the Sea of Galilee.

Before I knew it, we were both laughing hysterically. I was trying to be funny, but I was also completely serious. As a single female in her 30s, the dating world is not fun, especially when you’re seeking a man who is equally yoked spiritually. It can be much like fishing—you spend so much time walking the shorelines, pushing your boat out to sea, trying to find the perfect spot to cast your reel, and yet you often end up catching nothing.

I have spent so much time casting my line into the sea, praying for the perfect catch. I often feel like the disciples did in the Gospel of John. Chapter 21, verses 1–6 are below:

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

I know one thing for certain: when it comes to the dating world and the type of marriage I desire (or whatever desire of your heart you may be praying about, yet continue to come up empty), there is no other sea I will cast my line into other than the Sea of Galilee. I may continue to come up empty, but even if I never catch the fish I desire, I am confident and hopeful in my future as long as I have Jesus in my boat.

#trust #christ #fishing #thenarrowpath #praying #hope #jesus #heart