Focus

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

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Read

John 21:1-14 New Revised Standard Version (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.

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Reflect

My friend, Dave, had been listening for quite a while to me whining about not knowing the will of God. It was a hard time in my life, and I needed the comfort of knowing what God wanted me to do. I figured it would save me a few steps in the present. Dave, a retired United Methodist Pastor, hit me on the head with a little bit of theology. He said, “You Presbyterians are always worrying about where God is going to be, what the will of God is. We Methodists believe what’s more important is that God will be there when you get there.” Ouch!
Friend, don’t get a crick in your neck looking back for God. Don’t get stuck in the present; and don’t fall forward on your face, straining to see if God is up ahead. Keep living, praying, seeking for God. You will hear His voice. He will either be yelling from the shore, walking to you on the water, or hit you on the back of the head with the past. And when you do get to the future, there may be some catfish fish waiting for you. And you will ask, “Hey, when did You show up, God? Nice fish!”

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Pray

Hey, God. I love You. You always show up at the right time. I am sorry I don’t always see You coming. Help me not to strain my neck looking back; or get stuck in my present tracks; or fall on my face wondering if You are up ahead. Help me, Lord Jesus, my Brother-Redeemer, to just want to walk along with You, and look for You around me. And open my eyes that I will see You. Amen.

Go with God!