One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. - Luke 5:1-11
In my career, it has not been uncommon to find people who know more about the technology behind my job than me, even after 30+ years in the business. The real trick I have found is distinguishing between the really knowledgeable people and the pretenders. The pretenders have learned the skill of using key words in correct phrases learned from experts in ways that make it seem like they have a deep understanding of the technology. I recognize this skill because I have used it often myself.
That was probably how Simon Peter felt when Jesus gave the order to cast their nets again in the "deep water". What he thought was that Jesus was the "pretender" who was wasting their time having them fish in seas where the fish weren't biting. But he grudgingly complied. Didn't cost too much work: empty nets wouldn't be that hard to pull back in.
But Jesus showed that he was not a pretender. His suggestion led to real results, showing that he knew fish better than the fishermen.
In my job, that's when I know that someone has surpassed me: when their solutions work, but were not suggestions that I would have thought of. Not because I want to set myself as "judge" over them, but shows that they are at a level of expertise so that I can leave that particular technology area alone because I have confidence that they can cover it at least as well or better than me.
Peter knew he reached that point on that day. He begged Jesus to leave. Neither he nor his partners could survive competing with a fisherman who could read the minds of the fishes or direct them into the nets at will. Essentially he asked Jesus to find his own fishing grounds.
Jesus replies that he is thinking too small: if Jesus could do that with fish, just think of what he could accomplish with people. And he's not in competition. He's inviting Peter to join.
Long ago, I figured out that God was a better engineer than I am, no matter how good I am or how good I might become. Glad I finally acknowledged that and joined him. In engineering and so many other parts of my life.
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