Have you ever felt like you’ve tried everything, yet come up empty?
You’ve worked late nights, strategized, planned, and given it your all—yet the results are discouraging at best. That’s exactly how the disciples felt after a night of fruitless fishing in John 21.
Despite their expertise and a whole night of strenuous effort, Peter and six of the disciples had gone out to fish but caught nothing. Nada. Zilch. As dawn broke, they saw a figure on the shore—a man who called out, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” (John 21:5).
“No,” they answered.
Then He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some” (v. 6). They obeyed, and—miraculously—the net was so full they couldn’t haul it in. This was a clear demonstration of the power of obedience.
Here’s the kicker: The difference between failure and success was just seven and a half feet—the approximate width of the boat. That’s it! What a powerful reminder for us as leaders.
A Small Shift, A Huge Difference
One of the key leadership lessons from John 21 is that sometimes success isn’t about completely overhauling your strategy—it’s about making a small but significant shift in obedience to Jesus’ guidance.
Think about it: the disciples had done everything they knew to do. They possessed the skills, experience, and know-how. Yet it wasn’t until they obeyed Jesus and made that small adjustment—just a boat’s width away—that they experienced an overwhelming harvest.
Sometimes, all it takes is a small shift in our approach, a nudge from God, or a simple act of obedience to turn things around. We don’t always need a new boat, a bigger team, or more resources. Often, what we need is the wisdom and guidance of the Master Fisherman.
Obedience Over Expertise
Another one of the leadership lessons from John 21 is that obedience to God’s voice often outweighs even the most seasoned expertise.
These were professional fishermen. They knew what they were doing—or so they thought. But Jesus’ simple command challenged their expertise and their pride. It’s humbling to realize that success is not just about what we know, but also about who we trust.
As leaders, we can fall into the trap of relying solely on our experience, degrees, or leadership books. Those things are valuable, but they’re not enough on their own. We must remain sensitive to God’s voice, ready to obey—even if it doesn’t make sense at first glance.
Trusting When It Feels Pointless
Let’s be honest: after a long, discouraging night of failure, it must have felt pointless to try again—especially with such a small adjustment. Yet that’s precisely where Jesus stepped in. He didn’t ask them to overhaul their entire process. He simply asked them to shift their net.
Sometimes, God’s direction in our leadership feels too simple, too small to make a difference. But He’s asking us to trust Him, not our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). Obeying Him, even in small ways, can lead to unimaginable blessings.
Final Thought
Friend, one of the most profound leadership lessons from John 21 is that the difference between empty nets and overflowing nets—the difference between failure and success—might be just one small shift in obedience. Jesus didn’t ask the disciples to fish in a new sea or change their profession; He simply told them to cast their net on the other side of the boat. It was a small move—seven and a half feet—but it made all the difference.
As leaders, we often look for big solutions, but Jesus sometimes invites us to trust Him with the small shifts. That’s where breakthroughs happen. The question is, are we listening for His voice and ready to make that small but faithful shift in our leadership journey?
Action Steps for Leaders
If you’re feeling stuck or discouraged in your leadership journey, take a page from John 21:
- Listen for God’s Voice. Make time for prayer and stillness. You can’t obey a voice you haven’t heard. This anticipation of hearing God’s voice can fill us with excitement and hope for the guidance He will provide.
- Be Willing to Shift. Don’t cling to what’s always worked in the past. Sometimes a tiny adjustment makes all the difference.
- Obey Promptly. Don’t let pride or self-reliance keep you from trying something new at God’s direction.
- Trust His Wisdom. Remember, success often comes from simple obedience, not just strategic brilliance.
- Celebrate His Provision. When the net overflows, it’s important to take a moment and give thanks to the One who made it possible. This act of celebration not only acknowledges God’s role in our success but also fills our hearts with gratitude and appreciation for His provision.
Discussion Questions
- Can you think of a time when a small adjustment made a big difference in your work or leadership?
- What keeps you from obeying God’s seemingly simple instructions?
- How can you build a habit of listening for God’s voice in your leadership?
- Why is it sometimes harder to obey God than to rely on your own expertise?
- What practical steps can you take today to remain open to God’s guidance in your leadership decisions?
More Articles
I have written several articles on obedience to God. You can find them by typing “Obedience to God” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are a few of the most recent articles.
- #612: Faithful Leadership in the Workplace: 3 Key Lessons from Daniel
- #607: Why Complete Obedience to God Is Key to Successful Leadership
- #601: Learning from Disobedience to God: Avoiding Pitfalls as Christian Business Leaders
- #584: Unlock The Power of the 7 ‘Let Us’ Commands for Christian Business Success
- #578: Will You Respond to The Call to Christian Leaders to Lead with Faith?
Join the Conversation
As always, we welcome questions and comments. Have you ever made a small shift trusting God over your expertise? What was the result?
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Category: Personal Development | Obedience to God
