Today’s surrender is simple, but it’s not always easy:
Try again.
There are moments in life where you feel like you’ve already given everything you had.
You worked all night.
You tried every angle.
You gave your best effort… and nothing happened.
That’s where Peter was in Gospel of Luke 5.
He had fished all night and caught nothing. Empty nets. Empty results.
Then Jesus shows up and says,
“Cast your net again.”
Now naturally, that doesn’t make sense.
Peter is tired. He’s experienced. He knows fishing.
But he says something powerful:
“Because You say so… I will try again.”
And that’s the difference.
Surrender Isn’t Starting Over—It’s Starting With God
A lot of times we think trying again means doing more, grinding harder, or pushing ourselves further.
But surrender says:
“God, I’m not doing this in my own strength anymore.”
Because there’s a difference between:
- Trying again alone
- And trying again with God
When Jesus got involved, what was empty became overflowing.
Stay Alert While You Move Forward
But here’s the other side.
We’re not just called to move forward—we’re called to stay aware.
First Epistle of Peter 5:8 says to be sober-minded and alert, because the enemy is like a roaring lion.
So yes—we go on offense.
We create. We build. We step out again.
But we also stay grounded.
We guard our hearts.
We stay in prayer.
Because just because you’re doing good doesn’t mean you stop being watchful.
Don’t Quit Before the Harvest
Epistle to the Galatians 6:9 reminds us:
Don’t grow weary in doing good… because in due time, you will reap if you don’t give up.
Some breakthroughs don’t come because of a new idea.
They come because you didn’t quit.
You’re Not Meant to Grow Alone
Being here at something like the International Christian Film Festival reminds me:
Growth needs environment.
Just like a plant needs sunlight and water,
your calling needs community.
If you’re surrounded by people who don’t understand what God put in you, it’s easy to shrink back.
But when you’re in the right environment—
people who believe, who build, who create—
something comes alive again.
Even God said, “Let us make man…”
Creation has always had community in it.
Today’s Surrender
So today, we surrender our discouragement.
We surrender our frustration.
We surrender the feeling of “it didn’t work.”
And we say:
“God… because You say so…
I’ll try again.”
Not in fear.
Not in pressure.
But in faith.
Closing Prayer
Father,
Give us the strength to try again—not in our own power, but in Yours.
Renew our minds. Steady our hearts.
Help us stay alert, stay faithful, and stay surrendered.
And when we feel like giving up, remind us:
You are still working.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.