People may often find themselves caught in a mundane cycle of everyday life. How can they find purpose and significance in the simple things that are expected of them?
In her devotional talk titled “Washing Their Nets” Sister Jennifer Platt, the associate department chair of Religious Education at BYU-Idaho, shared a story of Peter laboring as a fisherman to answer that question.
One of Peter’s tasks was to wash the nets he used to catch fish. This was a routine job, but extremely important. The cleaning of the nets was a necessity for Peter to ensure his nets stayed strong and clean, so he would be ready when he found success while fishing.
“I wonder where you see yourself in Peter’s experience,” Sister Platt said in the devotional address. “Maybe tending to nets—doing necessary but ordinary, repetitive work. Maybe pulling an all-nighter, trying to get something done with seemingly no success. Maybe feeling inadequate for what’s being asked, yet still willing to try—nevertheless. When we recognize ourselves in Peter, it becomes easier to recognize the Savior inviting us, personally, to follow Him.”
Sister Platt taught in her devotional that it is through this ordinary or mundane work that the Lord prepares people to be better disciples.
“What preparation is happening in your life right now that may not make sense yet? What skills, sensitivities, or capacities is the Lord quietly developing as you serve Him?”
In an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio, she reflected on the preparation the Lord puts into disciples' lives.
“Life isn't by chance, but by choice,” she said in the interview. “And to know that it's all culminating, it's all leading to who he needs me to be for Him.”
You can access live devotion addresses and see past ones in the BYU-Idaho devotional website.