Because you say so

Sometimes the only motivation for doing anything is that Jesus says so. Otherwise, we’re bankrupt. We simply can’t muster up the vision or energy to try one more time, to care for one more second. The only resolve we can make is to quit. In our eyes, this thing – this calling, this marriage, this family, this friendship, this job, this thing – has come to a shuddering halt. It is over. It is dead. It is a black hole. All our efforts to change it have failed.

It’s those times when all that can keep us keeping on is that Jesus says so.
Jesus said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
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” (Luke 5:4-5).
But because you say so. That moment can stand for so many of my own. I tell Jesus sometimes that I've worked hard all night, all week, all year, all this decade and haven't accomplished a thing.  I am still a mess.  My temper still flares.  I am still too busy.  My faith is flimsy.  My friendships are still shallow.  My prayers are lackluster.  I still bear grudges.  I still can not forgive.  I’ve worked hard all night, all week, all year, all this decade, and haven’t caught a thing. Jesus, this isn’t working.
And everything in me wants to walk away.
Weariness floods me. Frustration grips me. Anger overwhelms me. Instantly in my mind, rising quickly to my lips, is bitter complaint: “Are you kidding? Do you know how hard I’ve tried?  Why would you even ask?”
“And I give in, thankfully. Alright. Alright. Okay. This is useless. This is futile. But because you say so, I will.”
You know how this story goes: suddenly, the effort is not futile. At long last, and all at once,  effort produces results, abundantly:
But they’d never have experienced that success except, against all instinct, they did what Jesus said.
Have you given up on something? Maybe you’ve invested heroic, repeated effort, but have nothing to show for it. Does the thought of trying again fill you with weariness? Does it just seem easier to admit defeat and move on?
But what if Jesus is asking you to try again? Try to make this marriage work one more time. Try to reconcile with your father one more time. Try to connect with your daughter one more time. Try trusting one more time. Try forgiving one more time?
Because he says so, will you? What if this is the time the nets actually fill?

Because he says so.