Focus
Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.
Read
4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 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. 7 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. 8 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.
9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 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. 12 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. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Reflect
We continue this story about Peter and his return to fishing and John continues to highlight the differences of doing what we find comfortable with doing what we are called to do. Yesterday we noted that they had not caught fish all night long. Jesus then appears and says something to the effect of (This is the authorized Chris version of the Bible), “Hey you guys have been doing this all night, but it hasn’t worked, right?” They answered, “no, we have no fish.” Then Jesus says, “Ok, you have done it your way, all night and have nothing to show for it. So let’s try doing what I ask, and do it my way. Throw the net on the other side and see what happens.” Of course, when they did what Jesus instructed they found more than they could have ever had. And what is more, their net should have never been able to hold so many fish, but somehow it held.
This is another illustration that God can do far more than we can ask or imagine, but it starts with taking that first, scary, sometimes unreasonable step of faith. We can not imagine what God can do with us and through us, if we do not first take that first step of faith and follow through. So, what about you? Is there something you believe God is calling you to do, but you just can’t imagine it will work or that you have the proper resources to do it? The first step is to try.
Pray
Lord, help us to overcome any fear or anxiety that might be in the way of us trying something new. Give us the courage to follow your will. Amen.
Go with God!
