Luke 5:5-11

“But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken;” vss. 8-9

Peter’s experience on the Sea of Galilee reminds us of Isaiah’s temple vision. Both were overwhelmed at the presence of the Divine, and both became immediately conscious of their own brokenness. And in spite of their protests both were called into ministry, Isaiah as a prophet, and Peter as an evangelist. Not all of us will have encounters that are even close to those of Isaiah and Peter, but we will from time to time catch glimpses of the divine in our daily living, sometimes in the people we meet, and occasionally in breathtaking experiences. And always, our first response will be a recognition of our own unworthiness. That’s how it is when we come close to the Light–we’re exposed, and the flaws, foibles, and follies of our internal self are seen clearly, if not by others, then surely by ourselves. Those aren’t pleasant moments–it’s like being asked to strip to our skin in a doctor’s office. And then comes the invitation, “Don’t be afraid. I’m going to use you, warts and all, and through you restoration will come to the world.” And the flaws we’ve tried to hide become the windows through which the broken will see the Light!

Thought for the Day: How can Light be seen in flaws?