From Empty Nets to Full Hearts

It had been less than one month. In that time Peter and the other disciples had experienced the exuberant, prophecy-fulfilling praise of Jesus as they entered Jerusalem with Him. They had seen His expressed fury at the religious authorities over the defilement of His Father's temple and seen the seething hatred for Jesus that came from that rare display of righteous anger He had acted in. Peter had been witness to the last meal with his Teacher, the last prayer with his Lord and the last breath of his King. Emotionally and spiritually Peter had been as high as the clouds of heaven - full of excitement, hope and life. Less than one week later he had been as low as the pit of earth below - feeling defeated, fearing death and wondering what else could possibly go wrong.

Since that time Jesus had shown Himself to be alive. He had left no doubt in the apostles hearts and minds that He was the Messiah but they had no idea what they were supposed to do with this truth now that He wasn't with them on a daily basis...so Peter did all he knew to do. The others instinctively followed him but even fishing proved to be empty and exhausting. When the night was spent the sun rose with none of their questions answered and no evidence of their hard labor. It looked to be just another day of carrying no fish but even more questions and few answers...until they saw past their empty nets to the shore where Jesus had been waiting. Their obedience began the transformation and as fish filled those empty nets excitement, once again, filled their empty hearts. "Come have breakfast" Jesus said but it wasn't just breakfast Jesus had for them. That invitation was loaded with the restoration and fullness Peter had been waiting for.

It wasn't that all of Peter's questions were answered that day. It wasn't that Peter suddenly had full understanding of what was to come but the sunrise of that morning and the following conversation with Jesus solidified Peter's purpose. Rest and resolve had been restored and Peter knew following his Jesus would continue regardless of the questions and hardships that would come. That breakfast with Jesus was unlike any other he had ever eaten. That one breakfast with Jesus broke the chains of doubt, fear and confusion and Peter had a net full of fish for good measure...not the result of his hard work but rather his obedience.

Don't stop doing what you know to do. Clarity will come. Rest will come. Just move forward in the direction you know until Jesus shows up on the shore and makes things plain for you. He is preparing your breakfast even as you struggle with your seemingly empty net. That day Peter left doubt and defeat in the dust as Jesus' words launched him and the other disciples into the purpose they had been called to all along. No status-quo, no hesitation, no holding back but full speed ahead. Come what may they were all in. Don't believe me? Begin reading the book of Acts and see how the apostles literally "turned the world upside down" for Jesus. For the full story of Peter's launch read the last chapter of John.

Until He returns may each of us be obedient to His calling and, come what may, allow Him to launch us into His "upside-down" world mission. Like the old Nike commercial says..."Just Do It"!

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