There is a story in the Bible where Peter, a disciple of Jesus found himself questioning what he was to do after Jesus had risen from the dead. Now that Jesus was gone, Peter finds himself out in his boat fishing once again. Just as he was doing before Jesus met him on the shoreline on that day and when Jesus had asked him to drop his fishing nets and to follow Him (see Matt 4:18-22).
John 21:4-12 records:
Then at dawn, Jesus was standing there on the shore, but the disciples didn’t realize that it was him! He called out to them, saying, “Hey guys! Did you catch any fish?” “Not a thing,” they replied. Jesus shouted to them, “Throw your net over the starboard side, and you’ll catch some!”
And so they did as he said, and they caught so many fish they couldn’t even pull in the net! Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Peter heard him say that, he quickly wrapped his outer garment around him, and because he was athletic, he dove right into the lake to go to Jesus! The other disciples then brought the boat to shore, dragging their catch of fish. They weren’t far from land, only about a hundred meters.
And when they got to shore, they noticed a charcoal fire with some roasted fish and bread. Then Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Peter waded into the water and helped pull the net to shore. It was full of many large fish, exactly one hundred and fifty-three, but even with so many fish, the net was not torn. “Come, let’s have some breakfast,” Jesus said to them. (Jn 21:4-12 TPT)
I love this story. John continues to record the events which took place on that day when Peter jumps out of the boat, swimming toward Jesus once he realizes it is him. Then while sitting together on the shoreline Jesus prompts Peter to feed His lambs, and care for His sheep (see Jn 21:15-23). Following this event, Peter was in the Upper Room and was baptized in the Holy Spirit. He then preached to the multitudes and was obviously a significant figure in the explosive formation of the church. He was later imprisoned and died a martyr’s death.
I wonder though, did Peter ever go fishing again? He was in fact a commercial fisherman prior to meeting Jesus. Fishing was his occupation, its what he knew, and was likely very good at it. And although it is true that Jesus told Peter to follow Him and that He would make Him a fisher of men, did this mean that because Peter was called into ministry, fishing was no longer allowed? What’s the application here and what does it mean for us?
Obviously, we don’t all have a “drop your nets” type of experience where God calls into full time ministry. Peter’s “calling” was very specific, and likely required him to stop what he was currently doing in order to focus on ministry. This however does not disqualify any of us from being used by God as Peter was. But when we read stories in the Bible about Peter and the disciples, and the miracles of Jesus, our tendency is to think that those things are reserved for others who are called into full time ministry. As believers however, we all have been commissioned to be disciples and to make more disciples (see Matt 28:19-20). Furthermore, Jesus told us that after He was to die and go back to the Father, He was going to send us the Holy Spirit. And then we would be able to do even greater miracles than what He did (see Jn 14:12). Friend, if you are reading this right now, that includes you.
I personally feel that both our social culture and the church have placed too much emphasis on finding one particular “calling” in life. Although it is true that there are certain careers (both secular and ministry) that many know is the primary calling upon their lives, this may not be the case for everyone. I’m happy for you if you know your career plan is your calling in life, and I’m certainly not saying it is not wise to have a career plan, or to set goals etc. I’m simply stating that God’s plan for our lives may not look like many of the models before us. We have to be open to do and to go wherever and whenever the Lord calls us. Sometimes that may require us to make some direction changes that others may not understand.
Jesus did not condemn Peter for going out fishing. In fact, He instructed them to throw out their nets again. What’s more, Jesus himself cooked the fish and ate breakfast with them. Peter was lovingly restored and re-focused on what Jesus was calling him to do. Was it the fishing that was bad? No, it’s just what Peter was doing when He had another encounter with Jesus. That encounter gave him further direction in life. Sometimes going fishing is the best thing we can do.
Jesus wants to have encounters with us. Most often these encounters come when we intentionally set aside to be with Him. Much like we set aside personal private times to be with our loved ones. But we can also have encounters with Him while or after we are doing some enjoyable things such as fishing etc. Of course, these activities need to be prioritized and enjoyed in moderation. I once heard of a guy who hung-up his golf clubs because someone told him it wasn’t spiritual. I would argue however, that it may be in fact very spiritual for you to enjoy golfing. Golfing could even be what you do professionally. I would also add that changing professions should not be looked upon as spiritually misguided; it may actually be the opposite. If you are following God’s voice, it doesn’t matter what anyone else may think.
My takeaway with Peters encounter on the beach with Jesus was not “what” Peter was doing, it was where his heart was when he was doing it. Peter was in emotional turmoil and Jesus perceived that. When Jesus called out to them, He used language that said, “Boys (children), you do not have any meat (fish), do you?” They answered saying, “No!” In other words, emotional decisions usually leave us in the same boat as the disciples, “catching nothing.” In other words, they don’t provide satisfying results.
It’s interesting that Jesus didn’t call the disciples men, but rather He called them children. He asked them, “Are you doing any good at what you’re trying to do?” That is a question we should ask ourselves when we don’t seem to have any fruit (or fish) to show for whatever we are doing in life.
How about you, are you following Gods plan for your life? Have you prioritized your life in such a way that puts Jesus first? Are you open to change directions in life and listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit to do so? Are you listening to His voice to be as effective as you possible can right where you are? Do you see yourself as a minister…as a disciple? Friend if you have answered no to any of these questions, I would challenge you to consider making a change. Perhaps you need to do as Peter did and go fishing. There is nothing wrong with taking time to get away from time to time in order to get a reset. The key is to seek Him for His direction in everything we do…even fishing.
Secondly, I would like to encourage you to seek to have personal encounters with God. Be intentional about it. Set aside meeting times with Him as though He is your most impressive business client. Make Him and your relationship your most important relationship you have. Then your spouse, then your children, family & friends, job, etc. Jesus truly needs to be first and He is waiting to be your very best friend. Don’t let anyone or anything get in the way of your relationship with Him. He would love to direct you on where to throw your nets, cook you some breakfast, and then sit down with you on the beach to eat.
Happy Fishing!
Blessed by the Best,
Mark
See You in the River 