Teachability

Unknown - Original image: Photochrom print (color photo lithograph) 
Reproduction number: LC-DIG-ppmsca-02740 from Library of Congress, 

And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."

And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets."  Luke 5:4-5

 "Though an experienced fisherman himself, Peter accepted advice from a Carpenter, and as a result, the nets were filled. “ ... at Your word I will let down the net.” This shows the value of humility, of teachability, and of implicit obedience."     -Believer's Bible Commentary

I believe there are times when the Lord calls us to trust Him implicitly, though his direction may be contrary to our humanly acquired knowledge.  Yet, I don't believe that He calls us to make foolish unfounded emotional investments.  

This thought worried me as a child.  When I was taught this story years ago, I could not grasp how a man could leave his entire livelihood without thought, how we could be expected to do the same. To trust anyone or anything so quickly and completely seemed capricious and rash.  God longs for us to be impulsive?  The thought excluded people like me who are studied and cautious.

As an adult, I see the seeds of prior thought and relationship:  Peter had encountered Jesus several times before this.  His brother Andrew had initially introduced Peter to Jesus, even as the Messiah:

"He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah " (which translated means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas " (which is translated Peter)." John 1:41-4

The NLT translates "looking at Simon intently" Strongs: From G1722 and G991; to look on, that is, (relatively) to observe fixedly, or (absolutely) to discern clearly: - behold, gaze up, look upon, (could) see.

Personally, I like "to discern clearly"--certainly Christ perceived all men clearly, for what they were and what they were not.  Peter had Christ look at him in this way and rename him.  All of this surely, coupled with Andrew's claims, made a deep impression on Peter long before he was asked to let down his nets.

Additionally, in the prior chapter of Luke, Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law's fever--completely and instantly restored her health. 

Peter's faith in letting down the nets was not without significant foundation.  

At this point in his relationship, however, Peter did have to let go of his experience and preconceived notions about fishing--a field he knew much about. His choice to trust resulted in greater confirmation---great enough for him to leave the known and follow Christ into the unknown.

He does desire faith, but in His mercy, He scaffolds and justifies the steps if we take time to consider.