Life has a way of wearing you down. No matter how hard we work, there are moments we come up empty — tired, frustrated, wondering if anything will ever change. That’s where Jesus meets us.

In Luke 5, Simon Peter is cleaning his nets after a long, disappointing night of fishing. He’s exhausted. He’s ready to be done. But then Jesus shows up — and not with a pep talk or a guilt trip. He offers an invitation:

"When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.'" (Luke 5:4, NIV)

It didn’t make sense. It wasn’t logical. Peter had already tried everything. But somehow, Peter found the courage to respond:

"Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." (Luke 5:5)

This moment captures so much of how Jesus changes your life.

It rarely starts with a giant leap. More often, it begins with a small step of trust — one moment of obedience when it would be easier to walk away. When Peter said yes to Jesus’ invitation, everything shifted. The nets overflowed with fish. But more than that, Peter’s entire purpose changed:

"Then Jesus said to Simon, 'Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.'" (Luke 5:10)

Following Jesus isn’t about working harder or performing better. It’s about letting His presence reshape how we see everything — success, failure, even ourselves.

The Miracle of Saying Yes

Peter’s yes didn’t just lead to a miracle that day — it launched a life he never could have imagined. Maybe you’re standing in front of empty nets today. Maybe you’re wondering if it’s even worth trying again. Jesus’ invitation still stands: trust Me. Try again, but this time with Me in the boat.

How Jesus changes your life isn’t by fixing everything overnight. It’s by changing you — your hope, your direction, your heart — one surrendered step at a time. The story of Peter and Jesus in Luke 5 isn’t just a moment from the past — it’s a picture of what’s possible today. Following Jesus isn’t passive. It’s participatory. Not because He needs our help—but because He changes us through the helping. He grows our trust, softens our hearts, and redefines what’s possible—not just through what we see, but through what we step into.

Participation doesn’t mean you have to have it all figured out. It just means you’re willing to let Jesus use your “yes,” however small it feels. If that idea stirs something in you, spend a few minutes with the full story. It’s one of those moments that’s worth sitting with.