Pastors Aaron & Nicole Olinski

As we step into a new year, many of us are hoping for a change—longing to shake off the spiritual stagnation or simply do life differently. If that’s you, then there’s a powerful challenge in front of you: it’s time to go deeper.

This message isn’t about surface-level resolutions. It’s about returning to the core of our faith, back to the moment we first encountered Jesus, and reigniting the passion we once had.

Fishing, Failure, and Faith: The First Encounter

In Luke 5, Jesus meets Simon Peter, James, and John for the first time. These men were fishermen by trade—experienced, skilled, and familiar with their waters. But on this particular night, their expertise failed them. After a long, unfruitful effort, Jesus tells them to take the boat out deeper and cast their nets again.

It didn’t make logical sense. They were tired. They were empty-handed. But they obeyed.

And the result? A miraculous catch—so overwhelming, it nearly sank their boats.

That single act of obedience became their introduction to Jesus. He followed it by calling them to something even greater: “Come, follow me, and I’ll make you fishers of men.” They dropped their nets, left their old lives behind, and stepped into something new.

A Full Circle Moment on the Shore

Fast forward to John 21. Jesus had been crucified and risen, but the disciples were disoriented. Unsure of what to do next, they went back to what was familiar: fishing.

Again, they spent the night catching nothing.

Again, a man on the shore told them to throw their nets on the other side.

Again, a miraculous catch.

Peter instantly knew—it was Jesus. He didn’t wait for the boat to dock. He jumped into the water and swam to shore.

When You’re Spiritually Stuck

Some of us are in that “fishing again” season. We’ve seen miracles. We’ve followed Jesus for years. But somewhere along the way, we fell into routine. Maybe we’ve retreated into the comfortable, the predictable. Maybe 2025 didn’t go the way we wanted, and we’re just trying to survive.

But Jesus doesn’t want us to stay in shallow waters.

He returns to the same shore, to the same people, with the same challenge: Go deeper.

Not because He wants us to “do more.” But because there’s more available when we stop playing it safe.

Reignite the Passion: Return to the Start

Jesus used the same miracle from the beginning to remind the disciples of how it all started—not to shame them, but to rekindle their fire. And that’s what many of us need.

We need to remember:

- The hunger we once had for Scripture.

- The joy of gathering in community.

- The urgency we felt to share our faith.

- The time we carved out to pray because we couldn’t go a day without Him.

So what happened? Life. Disappointment. Distraction. Fear. But none of that disqualifies us from stepping in again.

The Call to Holiness: A New Way of Living

As we begin 2026, this isn’t just a call to reflection—it’s a call to action. To prayer and fasting. To pursue holiness, not from a place of obligation, but from a transformed heart that longs to live differently.

Holiness isn’t about behavior modification. It’s not a checklist of things to stop doing. It’s about internal transformation. It’s waking up with the desire to honor God, even when it makes us stand out.

We start saying things like:

- “I want to follow God.”

- “I want to live differently, even if others don’t.”

We stop gossiping—not because we “shouldn’t,” but because we’re focused on something greater. We walk away from temptation because it no longer fits who we’re becoming.

That’s not religious striving. That’s real spiritual growth.

Make This Year Different Through Fasting and Prayer

If you want 2026 to be different, it starts with doing something different. And that’s why this church is entering into 21 days of prayer and fasting, starting Monday, January 5th.

Maybe you’ve never fasted before. That’s okay. Start small:

1. Skip one meal a day.

2. Try one full day each week.

3. Explore a Daniel Fast or another type that fits your health needs.

The goal isn’t to impress God. It’s to get closer to Him.

During these 21 days, you’ll also have access to daily prayer points and resources. You’re not doing this alone. We’re doing this together.

What’s at Stake?

Comfort is easy. But spiritual growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones.

Jesus is inviting you to the deeper waters again. Not because you failed, but because He’s not finished with you. There are still fish to catch. Still people to reach. Still transformation waiting for you.

If 2025 left you empty, come back to the shore. Listen to the voice calling you deeper. And say yes—again.