There is a powerful passage at the end of the Gospel of John that reminds us that God calls each of us to a different journey with him. It is the last chapter of John, and the disciples were out fishing, and they see the resurrected Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. They had been fishing all night and as they came to the shore, they saw someone but couldn’t see who it was. He asks the disciples if they caught anything during the night. They replied “No” and Jesus told them to throw their nets on the right side of the boat and they would get some. They did and there were so many fish that they couldn’t even get the net in the boat. The disciple John looked up and put all this together and said, “It’s the Lord!” They were only about 100 yards from shore and John jumps out and heads to shore. The others come with the catch in the boat. Jesus has a fire going and bread and fish cooking. After that breakfast Jesus recommissioned Peter to his position of leadership. But then he tells him that when he is old, others will take him and take his life, because of his faithfulness to Christ. Peter gets the message and turns to his younger buddy John and asks Jesus “Well, what about him?” He wants to know what’s in store then for John. And Jesus says “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” When we are confronted with challenges in our lives we sometimes ask that same question of God “What about this person or that person? Are they going to go through the same kinds of things that I am?” The answer is simply “No”. And the reason is that this Jesus has a story for each one of us who have declared that we will follow him. And my story isn’t your story. God promises that he has a great future for each one of us. It is a future that starts in this life and continues into eternity. But no two are the same. You are a unique and wonderfully made person who God sees as a person of great worth. And there is no one like you…and no one that will have a life just like yours. So, what do we do? Just what Peter was commanded to do at the end of this. As for you, follow me. Remember that you are someone special in the history of humans. Your story may not be easy. And it may be a lot more difficult and even more painful than other stories. But God has a plan for you to shine in his kingdom if you will just do that one thing…follow him. It is your story…and only you can live its adventure. Do it…and do it well. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
John 21:20-22 NLT Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” (21) Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” (22) Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”
Remember I’m praying for you!
With love, PJ
John 21:20-22 NLT Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” (21) Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” (22) Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”
Remember I’m praying for you!
With love, PJ