Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

Read

John 21:1-14 (NRSV)

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Reflect

“I would never let my child go to school in shorts when it is this cold.”

“Shouldn’t you add more salt to your spaghetti sauce?”

“Don’t you need to provide more details in that report before sending it to management?”

“Why don’t you try throwing your nets off the other side of the boat?”

Unsolicited advice. We all get it, but we don’t always appreciate it.
I wonder if Jesus’s disciples felt the same way when they heard that voice from the shore telling them to throw their nets off the other side. They probably grumbled among themselves, “Who is that guy? Why does he think he knows fishing better than we do? He doesn’t even have a boat. How can he know better?” They probably begrudgingly threw their nets off the other side. “This isn’t going to work. Why are we even trying?” Low and behold, the stranger on shore knew what he was talking about. They returned to shore with nets full of fish and a hot fire waiting on which they could cook their catch. They immediately recognized the stranger as Jesus.

We don’t generally like to be given advice because it feels as if someone thinks we could do better than we are currently doing. We don’t want any help, and we certainly don’t want to be reminded of our shortcomings. I wonder if we are the same when God nudges us. “Hey, shouldn’t you pray a little more.” “Don’t you feel called to lead that Sunday school class next year?” “Is that the most you can give in your offering envelope?” There is always truth to what God’s little voice of advice whispers in our ears.

Pray

Dear Voice of Truth, help us to listen when you nudge. Open us to your suggestions of how we can better ourselves. Whisper the small reminding voice of what we should and can be. Amen.

Go with God.