And Their Nets Began to Break: A Personal Update
A lot of people have been asking me how I’m doing since Scott went on to glory about seven months ago, so I’ll start with a personal update. As I reflect on the past several months, an account from the Gospel of Luke repeatedly comes to mind.
As recorded in Luke 5, Simon Peter had been out fishing all night long. Fishing was his livelihood. It was how he provided for his family. If he didn’t catch anything, he and his family could starve. And yet as he cleaned his nets, dirty and exhausted from a long night of work, he came up empty-handed. What was going on? Why would God allow this? Had he done something wrong? If this continued, he would be forced to learn a new trade. But he was a fisherman! What else could he do?
As he cleaned up for the day, probably thinking about how he was going to tell his loved ones the news, Jesus told him to put out his nets again. 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 5:5, NIV)
Many times over the past seven months I have thought of Peter as he emerged exhausted, uncertain, teeming with questions and short on answers. I can relate.
BUT GOD wasn’t finished with this story or with Peter. In fact, in many ways this was just the beginning. Peter and his friends did what Jesus asked. They let down the nets, and they caught so many fish that their nets began to break and their boats began to sink!
“When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’…. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.’ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything, and followed him.” (Luke 5: 8-11, NIV).
Over the past several months, I imagine I’ve experienced the full range of emotions, thoughts, and questions that Peter had on that morning more than two thousand years ago. But the part I keep coming back to is the image of so many fish filling the boat that the nets began to break and the boats began to sink. It makes me smile, and sometimes it makes me laugh. I even picture Jesus laughing as Peter scrambled to figure out what to do as he desperately rowed toward the shore, trying not to lose any of what the Lord had given him.
A few months ago, when the Lord made it clear that I was to put out the nets for raise financial support to continue in ministry, my response was similar to Peter’s: “But Lord, I just tried to raise support for a mission trip a few years ago and there was no response. We’ve moved too many times and I haven’t been able to keep up with all our friends and previous supporters. They’ve moved on to support new ministries. But since you’re obviously telling me to do it, fine!”
And the answered prayers began to fill my boat. Financial donations and thoughtful gifts began to arrive. People I’ve never met messaged me to say they were praying for me. Family arrived to help me identify all my expenses, make a budget, take care of paperwork, transfer the bills into my name, and fix my many broken appliances. Neighbors showed up to mow my lawn, change my lightbulbs, feed me dinner, and replace my air filters. Coworkers of Scott’s from Samaritan’s Purse came over to fix my disastrous backyard and clean my house. An amazing church family suddenly appeared right down the street from my house at the exact right time. Ministry opportunities began to pour in faster than I could respond, and I’ve been scrambling not to lose any opportunity the Lord has given me. On several occasions I’ve fallen to my knees in awe of the Lord, even ashamed, knowing that I don’t deserve a single gift he has given me; for I am a sinful woman! And yet, Christ invites me to participate in his good and great work to reconcile many to himself, even as I have been reconciled to God by his grace.
Yesterday I was confirmed in the Anglican Church of North America, and I had the opportunity to reflect and share about how the Lord first called me to follow him in 1998. With my commitment as strong as ever and my enthusiasm renewed, I’m looking forward to this new year of living a life worthy of the Gospel of Christ, making the most of every opportunity, and always being ready to give a reason for the hope that we have, to the glory of God.
Specifically, by the grace of God, this year I hope to:
Create three new conference presentations for current and future speaking events
Speak at three conferences for which I’ve already received invitations (see laurazpowell.org/speaking for dates, locations, and topics)
Publish one article per month for my website, An Affair with Reason (laurazpowell.org)
Record 20 podcast episodes for my podcast
Help train a team from Colorado Community Church to effectively minister to Muslims as they travel to Africa this fall
Complete three new online short courses as Education Managing Editor for Women in Apologetics
Give at least two online presentations for Samaritan’s Purse (to be published at laurazpowell.org/multimedia)
Complete the C.S. Lewis Fellows Program on Science and Society through the Discovery Institute
Faithfully carry out my responsibilities as Secretary of the Board for Women in Apologetics
Continue to be available to those the Lord puts in my path each day who need encouragement, prayer, and truth
Send out quarterly email updates to my support team
It is only through your support that I’m able to pursue these opportunities. Please pray for the Lord’s provision in every way, and especially for focus, clarity of thought, the leading of the Holy Spirit, love for others, courage in speaking the truth, and much good fruit to come forth from these efforts.
To my amazement, through your generous support I was able to meet all my financial needs for 2022! I continue to be in awe of the Lord and beyond grateful for each of you! About half of my financial needs were met through monthly donors and about half were met through one-time gifts. If the Lord is leading you to join with me in equipping, educating, and encouraging his people with the reasons for the hope that we have in Christ, your tax-deductible donation can be made through GO! Ministries here.
Thank you again for your partnership in the gospel! I thank God for you often, and I’m (slowly) working on thanking each of you personally.
In Christ,
Laura Z. Powell
