Have you ever had an experience that totally rocked your world?  I’m talking about an experience that was so significant that it changed how you see the world.  The apostle Peter had such an experience.  Peter and his friends had been out fishing all night and the next morning Jesus said to them, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch."  Peter responded, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets."  When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink.

Now what do you think Peter thought about this experience?  This is great!  Who needs a fish finder now that we have Jesus?  Peter’s response is recorded in Luke 5:8, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!"  Peter experienced a defining moment – he realized that Jesus was no ordinary man.  Jesus not only knows the location of the fish, but He also knows the depths of my heart.   There are several characteristics of a defining moment:

1.  A defining moment often involves a challenge.  It is introduced by a unique situation that will force you to get out of your comfort zone.  Jesus told Peter to go out to the deep water.  Why – because that’s where you will find the fish.  Is God calling you to get out of your comfort zone to launch out into the deep?

2.  A defining moment provides with you with a fresh insight.  You encounter a paradigm shift in your thinking that enables you to have a new perspective.  Peter realized Jesus was no ordinary man.

3.  A defining moment results in a profound change in your life.  You are not the same after that experience.  After that experience the Bible records, “When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him” (Luke 5:11).  Did you catch the significance of that verse?  They left everything and followed Jesus!

Take some time and reflect on some of the defining moments of your life.  We can become so busy that we fail to learn the lessons that God has been teaching us.  What insights and changes have occurred in your life from your defining moments?  In the words of Vance Havner “Don’t miss your miracle!”