Sometimes, no matter how hard or how long you work at something, what you’re doing just doesn't get the results you had hoped for. You put in the effort, you follow the steps, and yet—the results are very slow.  You find yourself asking, should I even take another step?  Is it time to quit?

You have likely heard the couplet (from Richard Armour's, It All Started with Columbus, 1953):

"Shake and shake the ketchup bottle,
none'll come, and then a lot’ll."

We've all been there (before the plastic squeeze bottles)—shaking a glass ketchup bottle over our plate, waiting for something, anything, to come out. At first, nothing happens. You shake it again. Still nothing. But then, all at once, ketchup comes flooding out in an overwhelming blob.

This little phrase is worth a few minutes.  It could be used for either a desired or undesired outcome, but here, I’m only thinking of things you might want and be working for.  Sometimes, our efforts feel fruitless.  But persistence—combined with the right timing, direction, and driving force—can lead to surprising results.

Faithful Persistence

Luke 5:1–11 tells us that Peter and crew had been out all night, working hard, casting their nets again and again, only to come up empty every single time. These were experienced fishermen—they knew the lake, the methods, and the rhythms of their trade. But despite their knowledge and efforts, the results just weren’t there.

By morning, they were done. And tired! Ready to wash their nets and move on. But then Jesus steps up and says something that surely must have brought a groan: “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” (Lk 5:4)

Peter hesitates. You can almost hear the weariness in his voice: “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” (Lk 5:5)

And with that, everything changes. "None'll come, and then a lot'll"—they catch so many fish that their nets begin to break, and they need help from the other boat to bring in the haul. What hours of experience and effort couldn’t achieve, one well-timed act of faith and obedience made possible.

Sometimes, despite our tired spirit and downcast sense of self, faithful persistence is exactly what we must do.

Important Questions

But here’s an important question: How do you know when to keep shaking the ketchup bottle, and when it’s time to set it down and grab a new one? Persistence is valuable, but there is such a thing as misplaced persistence.

For example, using a rather “off-the-wall” way of making the point, Family Guy’s Peter Griffin, in his typical clueless overconfidence, held himself up as a model: “A Griffin never knows when to quit!” Apparently, like some of us, he doesn’t know the line separating a well-considered persistence from a well-intentioned “beating your head against the wall.” Blind and bullheaded persistence—no matter how well-meaning—can waste time, energy, and resources.  Worse yet, it can devastate your sense of purpose, self-confidence, and will to keep going.

So how do we tell the difference between a wise persistence and a foolish head-bashing?  Maybe asking some good questions will help:

1. Are there signs of progress, no matter how small? If you see even a flicker of movement—an idea forming, a connection made, a hint of success—it might be worth shaking a little longer.
2. Have you tried adjusting your approach? Peter didn’t just keep fishing the same way; he listened (even though he didn’t really want to) to new instructions. Sometimes it’s not about trying harder, but about trying differently. And sometimes, it helps to know who's in your boat.
3. Is the goal still meaningful? Goals aren’t set in stone—they can evolve as circumstances, priorities, and insights change. Regularly evaluating your goals helps ensure they remain aligned with your values and purpose. Adjusting a goal doesn’t mean you are giving up; it’s refining your aim to make your efforts more effective and meaningful. If a goal still holds value, it’s worth pursuing with energy, clarity, focus, and intention.
4. What role are fear, frustration, or exhaustion playing in your decision? These emotions are real and valid, and they often signal something important. Fear can point to risk, frustration can highlight obstacles, and exhaustion can indicate the need for rest. But while feelings provide valuable insight, they shouldn’t have the only say. Big decisions require carefully acquired information and laser-focused thought processes that are guided by both reason and emotion, rather than being driven solely by feelings.

Now at this point, someone is going to say, “You’re leaving out the Holy Spirit!”  But I’m not.  The Spirit surrounds every single bit of this.  And anyone who claims that the Spirit does all your work for you and doesn’t expect anything from you or is not calling for your very best self—well, that person is not speaking by the Spirit! 

Big Moments

In Luke 5, Peter and his crew didn’t lack knowledge, or experience, or a willingness to work.  The real question for Peter was whether all of that would get in the way. 

The big moment came without fanfare or announcement. It kind of snuck up on him.  And it lasted only as long as it took Peter to blink.  Jesus was teaching from Peter's boat.  When he was done, he turned and quite simply said, "Now go out to the deep water and let down your nets, and let's catch some fish."  And Peter said, "Uh, Ok."  And that, right there, was the big moment.  It wasn't the fish, later, or the need for a second boat.  The big moment was when Peter said "yes" to the Lord.  Whatever happened next was up to the Lord.  

This is directly relevant to all of us.  Whether you're working on a project, pursuing a dream, or navigating a tough season in life, ask yourself a few important questions:  Are you seeing at least some signs of progress? Are you open to adjusting your approach? Are you driven by clarity of thought and not just by fantasy, fear, or frustration?  But above all ask this question:  Am I saying "yes" to Jesus as Lord in every decision I make and every action I take?

Sometimes wisdom lets you know that it's time for you to stop a given effort. But other times, wisdom beckons you—based on careful evaluation, clear signs of potential, and a renewed sense of purpose—to keep on shaking the bottle, because doing so holds promise.

And know this:  Whether it's time for you to stop or to keep on, it is the Lord who gives and the Lord who takes away, so bless the name of the Lord! Your job in the middle of it all is not to be wringing your hands or pacing the floor, but to be a faithful and diligent steward, working while it is day.

Blessings,
Gary D. Collier