Lucky 13

It's 2013, has been for a couple weeks now. In the new year, many people are trying their best to keep resolutions, though many will fail or have to re-adjust them rather soon. I don't know if the fact that the year ends in 13 will make a difference one way or another, but since 13 is seen as an unlucky number, the idea certainly came to mind.

But what if this is the year everything changes? What is is this is Lucky 13 for you or me or the ELCA or the Christians community? What if this is the year your faith is truly deepened (or simply found)? What if this is the year your church finds it's stride and really starts to grow, spiritually and numerically? What if this is the year you find a new joy to your work, your family life, your love life? What if this is the year you finally find purpose and contentment within your own soul?

Oh, I know, it sounds like the beginning of a pitch for a book or DVD series or motivational seminar. I admit that it can even come off as idealistic and down right hokey. I have found that as we get older most people are less and less willing to believe that it can all magically turn around. They feel have grown beyond the age where the new year brings exciting new possibilities, it just brings new pains or new reminders of what has been lost. Indeed being that January 1 comes in the depths of winter, it can be a blue time of listlessness and sadness for many. Many churches live in the same boat. They have tried and tried and tried to change and do new ministries but they continue to struggle and decline. They are tired and do not see any real renewal or growth in 2013. They are just reminded that they are one year further removed from those glory days. There is much more than enough negativity and weariness to counteract any resolution for something new. However, I think even in these cases there is hope.

This coming Sunday (January 20th) features the story from the 5th chapter of Luke of the great catch of fish. Here Peter the fisherman encounters Jesus for the first time. He has come back from a night of fishing that was less than successful. Although, we are given no details of Peter's life personally or professionally, we can make some inferences. Most impressions seem to be that Peter is an older man. He is experienced, has made partnerships with others and know the ways of the fishing world. He also strikes me as tired. He has fished through the night, just as he had for many many nights before. He has struck out despite his best efforts and he not in the mood to try more tricks or go out on a blind hope. But....

But he is willing to try one more time. Either Peter is struck by Jesus and what he has heard or he wants to shut this fancy preacher up and show him that Simon Peter knows how to fish! Either attitude could be true and in the end it doesn't matter because Peter's faith isn't needed for the miracle to happen. He just has to be willing to try again. The miracle of the fish happens and Peter goes from tired fisherman to a purposeful fisher of God's people. He life is changed in the most unexpected moment and he never looks back.

Now, I am not promising everyone a miracle, but what if 2013 could be like that? What if all that is needed is a willingness to go out on the limb, go into the really deep waters of life and faith and trust that God can handle the rest? Would be willing to risk it? Are we willing to see if the failures can be changed into successes and our lives renewed even though we thoughts those days were past? Are we willing to try one more time if it's Jesus who asks? I think it's worth trying and that 2013 is the year to do it. I don't know what that means for you but I know Christ will call you to go out into the deep waters in some way. When he does, forget luck and resolutions, instead hold onto faith. Because even a grudging faith, a half-hearted faith no larger than a mustard seed can move mountains lead to a new life bursting with hope and joy and hope through Jesus Christ.