When the Nets Are Empty: Learning Courage from the Deep

There are moments in our lives—and in the work—when we feel utterly depleted. We've toiled all night. We've spent hours in missionary discussions, studied the scriptures, and offered our best efforts, only to feel like we've taken nothing. We're tired. We're discouraged. We've hit the spiritual equivalent of the bottom of the net.

It’s in those moments of exhaustion that the Spirit often guides us toward the greatest lessons. If you’ve ever felt like you were paddling against a current that just wouldn't quit, this message is for you. Because the journey of becoming a disciple—whether you're prepping for MTC, serving as a returned missionary, or just working on your callings in the ward—is built on the principle of having the courage to launch out into the deep.

The Call to Launch Out Into the Deep

We are taught to be faithful, but sometimes faith feels like a muscle we simply don't have. The story of Peter and the miraculous catch (Luke 5:1-7) is the ultimate illustration of this. Simon had spent the whole night laboring, and the result was nothing. His natural response was, "Master, we have toiled all night, and have taken nothing."

“Nevertheless, at thy word, I will let down the net.”

Peter's obedience wasn't based on logic or perceived success; it was based on the word of the Master. He didn't wait until he felt fully equipped or magically rested. He simply decided to try one more time. And what happened? Amazing things happened. The net broke, the boats sank, and they were filled with fish.

Vulnerability: The First Step to Courage

The speaker highlighted something crucial: Peter didn't just get magically obedient. He first showed vulnerability. He admitted his failure. He admitted his exhaustion. In our own lives, this is perhaps the most challenging step of all. We often feel like we have to project an image of perfect discipleship—that we should have it all figured out after our comps, or that our ward life should always feel "connected."

But true discipleship isn't about pretending we never fail. It’s about having the humility to admit: "I don't know how to do this. I'm exhausted. I feel like I've failed."

Applying This to the Work

If you're in the thick of missionary preparation, and you feel like you've run out of material for your discussions, that's your 'deep.' If you're a returned missionary, and you've had a challenging transfer and feel spiritually drained, that's your 'deep.' If you're a lifelong disciple, and you feel like you’ve spent all your spiritual energy on your family, that's your 'deep.'

The lesson is that when you are vulnerable, when you admit your need for help, that is when the Spirit can guide you to the next step—the next conversion, the next calling, the next truth you need to learn.

Launching Into Your Deep

If we take one thing away from this talk, let it be this: Courage isn't the absence of fear or failure; it's the choice to try again, even when the evidence suggests failure.

This week, I want to challenge you to identify one area—a relationship, a calling, a scripture study, or even a promise you made to yourself—that feels like it requires courage. Write it down. Name the thing that requires more of you than you feel capable of giving right now. That act of writing it down is the first act of vulnerability, and it is the first act of discipleship.

• 💡 Mission Prep Skill: Practice vulnerability. When you talk with a friend or a family member, instead of offering a polished answer, offer a genuine admission of confusion or doubt. This strengthens your ability to feel the Spirit in difficult conversations.
• 📖 Recommended Reading: If you’re looking for a deep dive into the mechanics of the plan, I highly recommend checking out the Iron Rod books on the covenants. They are a fantastic study for any disciple looking to deepen their understanding of the work.
• 🙏 Dive Deeper: If you need a space to process these feelings of exhaustion and hope, head over to HolyPlaces. Consider joining a Book Club or a Bible Study Group to turn that personal struggle into shared spiritual growth.

We are all disciples, all the time. Let’s launch out into the deep together.