Are You Holding Back from God?
Imagine this: You’re exhausted. You’ve spent hours, maybe days, working toward a goal—whether it’s in your career, marriage, or faith—and you feel like you have nothing to show for it. Then, someone comes along and tells you to try again. Not just the way you want, but the way they instruct. How do you respond? Frustration? Doubt? A hesitant, reluctant obedience?
This is exactly where we find Simon Peter in Luke’s Gospel. He and his fellow fishermen had spent the entire night fishing and caught nothing. They were done. Then, Jesus tells them to lower their nets again. Peter sighs and agrees—but only casts a single net. And what happens next? A miracle. A catch so great that the net begins to tear, and he realizes the One in his boat is no ordinary teacher.
Sound familiar? How often do we hesitate to give God everything, choosing instead to offer Him just enough? Today, we’re diving deep into what Simon Peter’s moment of hesitation teaches us about surrender and transformation. Because the truth is, most of us are holding something back—and it’s time to let go.
The Call to Surrender: What Jesus Asks of Us
Jesus never asks for half-effort. He doesn’t invite us to be lukewarm Catholics who show up to Mass but keep Him out of our daily decisions. He calls us to radical surrender—to cast all our nets, not just one.
In Luke 5, we see this contrast:
- Jesus says: “Put out into the deep and lower your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4)
- Peter responds: “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing. But at your command, I will lower a net.” (Luke 5:5)
Do you see it? Jesus asks for nets (plural). Peter responds with a net (singular). That one small detail reveals a lot about our own struggles to trust God completely. We hold back because we don’t fully believe He’ll provide. We give Him a little bit of our time, energy, or faith, but we keep the rest for ourselves.
But what if Peter had thrown all his nets? What if we did?
What Are You Holding Back?
Take a hard look at your life. Where are you refusing to surrender? Here are a few areas where men often hold back:
- Marriage & Fatherhood: Are you leading your family in prayer, or just assuming they’ll figure it out?
- Work & Career: Do you invite God into your business decisions, or compartmentalize faith and work?
- Prayer Life: Are you really seeking God, or just going through the motions?
- Sin & Addiction: What habits are you unwilling to let go of, even though they are keeping you from holiness?
The first step is recognizing where you’re only giving God one net instead of all your nets.
What Happens When You Give God Just a Little?
The beauty of this passage is that Jesus still worked a miracle—even with Peter’s half-hearted obedience. That’s good news for us, because we often approach God the same way. We give Him a little, and He still shows up.
But imagine if we gave Him everything. Imagine the blessings, the peace, the strength we would receive if we stopped holding back.
- Peter’s reluctant obedience still led to an overflowing catch.
- Our small steps of faith can lead to major transformation.
- Even if you’re hesitant, just start—God will work with what you give Him.
Challenge: This week, give God 10% more of your effort in an area you’ve been holding back. Watch what He does with it.
The Mass: Your Training Ground for Total Surrender
Most Catholic men underestimate the power of the Mass. We think of it as an obligation rather than the spiritual battlefield that it is. But Scripture shows us that the Mass is where we are transformed.
In Isaiah 6, the prophet has a vision of heaven where the angels cry out, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts.” Sound familiar? That’s exactly what we pray at Mass before the consecration. This isn’t just a ritual—it’s an encounter with the living God, the same way Isaiah and Peter encountered Him.
Every time you go to Mass, you’re:
- Radiated with the grace of Calvary. The same sacrifice of Christ is made present again.
- Strengthened for battle. The Eucharist equips you to fight against temptation and sin.
- Called to mission. Just like Isaiah and Peter, you are sent out to proclaim the Gospel.
- Stop treating Mass like an obligation. Go expecting transformation.
The Challenge: Cast Out All Your Nets
Peter’s transformation didn’t happen all at once. At first, he was skeptical. Then, after witnessing Christ’s power, he fell to his knees and said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” (Luke 5:8)
But Jesus doesn’t leave Peter there. He calls him deeper: “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” (Luke 5:10)
This is the moment Peter fully surrenders. It’s no longer just one net—it’s his whole life.
What About You?
- Are you holding back in your faith?
- Are you hesitating to follow God’s call?
- Are you giving Him 50% when He’s asking for 100%?
This week, take one area of your life where you’ve been hesitant to trust God, and surrender it fully. Cast all your nets.
Final Charge: “Here I Am, Send Me”
Isaiah responded to God’s call with total readiness: “Here I am, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8) Peter, after his transformation, left everything to follow Christ. Every time we leave Mass, we are given the same challenge—to go out and live for Him.
Give God everything. Hold nothing back. Your transformation starts today.
Join the Mission
At The Manly Catholic, we challenge, encourage, and motivate men to be saints every day. This podcast exists to help men grow in holiness, lead their families, and fight the spiritual battle. If this message spoke to you, subscribe to the podcast and join us in this mission.
