What’s in Your Boat? How Luke 5 Teaches us to trust jesus fully. 

When Jesus began His public ministry, Luke 5:1–11 gives us a powerful story. Jesus was about to call His first disciples, but before He did, He taught the crowd from Peter’s boat—anchored just off the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

It’s in this scene that we see three transformational themes—what we’re calling the “Three C’s.” This blog kicks off the series with the first “C”: COMPARTMENTS.

Jesus and the Fisherman

Peter had just finished a long, disappointing night of fishing. No results. No reward. After Jesus wrapped up teaching the crowd, He turned to Peter and said something unexpected: “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

Peter, a seasoned fisherman, likely raised an eyebrow. Jesus was a carpenter, not a seaman. What did He know about fishing?

This moment shows our human tendency to compartmentalize.

Don’t Put Jesus in a Box

Peter immediately placed Jesus into a neat category: great teacher, maybe even miracle worker—but not a fisherman. He confined Jesus to one lane. And if we’re honest, we do the same.

As coaches, leaders, or even parents, we sometimes feel boxed in by others, too. Maybe people think you're only good at one part of the game—offense, not defense. Or that someone else should be calling the shots. The comments sting and the compartments begin to form.

But Jesus isn’t interested in staying in a box—yours or anyone else's.

When We Let Go, God Shows Up

Peter eventually obeyed. He let down the nets.

The result? Overflowing abundance.

The nets began to break. Two boats filled to the brim. Peter fell to his knees and finally saw Jesus for who He really was—Lord over all.

This wasn’t about fish. It was about trust. About surrender. About breaking down the walls we build between faith and real life.

What Compartments Are You Holding Back?

We often keep Jesus at arm’s length—inviting Him into our Sundays, but not our Mondays. We let Him into our homes, but not our devices. Into our prayer time, but not our arguments, leadership decisions, or internal battles.

Just like Peter, we confine Jesus to the shoreline of our lives. But He wants to step into our boat and be Lord over every compartment.

That includes:

• - Your phone and media habits
• - Your marriage
• - Your frustrations at work
• Your coaching or leadership struggles
• Your private doubts

Jesus saw Peter’s pride and unbelief—and didn’t turn away. He called him deeper. He still does the same today.

Will You Let Him In?

Ask yourself:

• - Where have I said, “I’ve got this,” instead of trusting Him?
• - Am I willing to surrender everything—even the parts I think I know best?
•  
• Jesus stands in your boat, inviting you to cast your net again. Not in shallow water—but in the deep. Because that’s where the real faith lives.

NEXT IN THE SERIES: COMMAND

In Part 2 of our “Three C’s” series, we’ll unpack how Jesus didn’t suggest Peter cast his nets—He commanded it. And there's power in responding to God’s commands, even when they don’t make sense.