One of My Mantras :: Cast Your Net on the Other Side

October 7, 2012 Leslie Johnson

Ok, here is another one of my mantras:

Cast your Net on the Other Side.

Why do I say this? What does this mean you might be thinking. It is principle I think about often in relationships. When you enter into a new life stage or just when life changes a little, you often are looking at new friendships and relationships.

New school year and voila! you have new people in your life who are potential friends.

A move to a new house? Well, now you have some new neighbors to meet.

Different stages of life call for casting the net

...first baby? ...Last baby leaving for college? ....Or are you somewhere in between?

If you are like me, and I kind of think you are, you are always thinking and wondering about your gal pals.

Casting your net means putting yourself out there. You might call someone. Or text them. Maybe you sit next to them at the school meeting or the game and strike up a conversation.

I think this is what Jesus was talking about when he told us he was going to make us fishers of men.

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men.
"Matthew 4:19

We cast our net out there and sometimes a fishy friend is caught.

Sometimes not and that is ok. Cast your net on the other side. You reach out. You try and let Jesus fill the net.

Remember this story:

1One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,^a with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God,2he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3He 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.

4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down^b the nets for a catch.”

5Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” 11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:1-11

Jesus spoke to the disciples while they were fishing and changed their whole world by telling them to cast their nets on the other side. He made them Fishers of Men, and He is still calling us today.

(I do want to say that I understand these scriptures are primarily used by Jesus to encourage us to call people to salvation. Having said that, I think there are principles here that also apply to friendships and community)

I love how Jesus encouraged them to not be afraid. Sometimes it is scary to cast our net on the other side. What if she doesn't like me? Or what if a friendship is in the doldrums, and she just needs a little space? What if?

The beauty of this mantra is sometimes you have to cast your net on the OTHER side. If you cast your net out for friendship and the potential friend doesn't respond, it's ok. No fear.

You cast your net out again, remembering that Jesus called you to be a fisherwoman.

He will provide the Fish. You do the casting. Not hurt feelings or insecurities.

I am going to trust Jesus to fill my net with who He wants me to catch.

Casting our nets is how we create community. Casting your net can look differently for all of us because God has made us all unique.

Some might cast their net by:

Calling and inviting to dinner.

Others go running.

Others Join a Play group or Form a play group.

Some Help with a project.

Some Ask for advice.

You might make a coffee date.

The possibilities are endless and so are the needs.

We all need community. We need to create it. We need to cast our net. So cast that net.
He will come through and you will get a fish and more!

How do you cast your net on the other side?