8/27/21-THINKING ABOUT GOING BACK? DON’T!

“Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who He was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. Then He said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love You.” “Then feed My lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love You.” “Then take care of My sheep,” Jesus said. A third time He asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Then feed My sheep.”John‬ ‭21:1-6, 15-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When the Lord Jesus has called you from what you were doing to follow His purpose and plans, don’t allow discouragement or delay to change your focus. Peter was fresh off of denying knowing Jesus so he tried returning to his old career. He found out like some of us will that returning to the old path will only leave us more empty. We cannot go back, there’s nothing there. The old well has already dried up. The ocean was full of fish, yet Peter, as skilled as he was, caught nothing.

God will not bless what has been, He blesses what is. Fishing for fish was no longer his or the other disciples assignment, fishing for men was. We should never make decisions when we’re discouraged. I did municipal payroll for twenty eight years, I’ve been retired now for almost ten. It doesn’t matter how much I knew then, I wouldn’t be able to do that job today. I have been too far removed from that world to be successful at it. I may still remember some things, but the assignment has changed. The disciples may remember some things about fishing, but for three years they hadn’t done that. To go back must’ve been even harder than the first time Jesus showed up to change Peter from toiling all night and catching nothing, to being told “I will make you fishers of men.”

Our new assignment has others in mind. It’s no longer what we want to do, it’s what He’s called us to do. Going back is futile. The old is gone, the new has come. We may make mistakes along the way, but never make a decision to go back to what you were called away from. It wasn’t because there were no fish in the lake why they caught nothing, it wasn’t because they didn’t know how to fish, it was their reason for going back. Discouraged and disappointed in himself, Peter probably thought Jesus would never use him. But from what we’ve just read, that was the furthest thing from the truth. Jesus had not changed His mind. He didn’t even have a problem with them going fishing. He didn’t want them distracted from their purpose.

Jesus knew exactly where they’d end up. He knew they had caught nothing, because had they been successful, they probably would’ve seen it as a sign that they were doing the right thing. But the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, meaning, He never rescinds the gift. The order to cast the net on the “right side” has less to do with left or right and more to do with who has Lordship over all created things. Those words reminded them of the original call to serve. Matthew 4:18-22. When Jesus asked if they’d caught anything, at first they had no idea it was Him, it wasn’t until the miracle happened that John spoke up. Sometimes we need a John in our lives to help us recognize that the voice we’re hearing telling us to cast our discouragement and disappointment on the right side is Jesus.

We’re ashamed that we’ve messed up again. The enemy wants us to retreat, go back to the familiar. We’re toiling at the old task, but not having the results we’d like. Jesus is waiting for you to show up, He’s prepared a welcome back meal for you. He won’t scold or reprimand you for going back. He knows you’re hurting. A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering flame He will not extinguish. Isaiah 42:3 He wants to refresh you. Peter was a leader. They looked up to him. Discouragement will spread like a wildfire if you allow it to. Jesus showed up to prevent that from taking root. He’s showing up for you today. Don’t go backwards.

Do you love Him? Then allow His love and forgiveness to wash over you. Whatever the sin may have been is irrelevant. Just obey His voice. We can’t do His will without Him, but it starts with acknowledging our love for, and our willingness to stay the course no matter what. Peter was reminded of why the Lord chose him. He was also restored in the presence of those who had gone back with him. He discovered a love that holds no hard feelings, but rather restores. You can too By simply casting your cares on Him. Your assignment hasn’t changed. You have not been passed over. No one can do what has been assigned to you.

So are you considering going back? Don’t! There’s only toiling and emptiness there. Your old life is dead, your new life is in front of you. His calling is still the same. Let Him refresh you in His love. It doesn’t matter what others are doing, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done, the past is just that: past. Embrace the call and go make disciples of all men, fulfilling your purpose and destiny. He who called you is faithful.

Written by permission of the Holy Spirit

W. Tennant

August 27, 2021