Old Habits Die Hard!
In the death-filled vacuum of Jesus' absence, quickly His disciples returned to their previous occupations. (After all, they still had to eat - didn't they?) Old habits can be hard to beat, even after three dedicated years beside the Messiah.
Unobserved waves now lapped the hull of their weary fishing boat. Recognisable creaks presented no threats to these seasoned mariners. This small team were all at ease with their respective tasks, and comfortable together.
"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus." (John 21:3-4)
It was likely that these fishermen were casting a circular weighted net about twenty feet in diameter. As the weights fall and pull the net together the fish are then trapped. Some in this team would be casting, others would be retrieving. Yet despite both the simplicity of the endeavor and the all-night vigil only failure had been landed.
Into the repetition of familiar work Jesus arrives, especially when the things of work are drifting or even failing.
His disciples' failure is no impediment to Jesus' return - in fact it is often an invitation.
Peter was departing his call (Matthew 16:17-19) and returning to his old ways as a fisherman. (This can be very easy to do if you think Jesus is absent from you.)
When you are giving out, Jesus is coming in.
As energy flees and work fails Jesus attends. He will see you adrift and draw to you.
Jesus observes as you return to old ways. Failure in old ways (ones that you had previously been successful in) could well be a sign that Jesus is now absent; it may also indicate that Jesus is still watching you, coming to you and patiently waiting for you to realise He is present.
When you are down to nothing, Jesus is up to something.
O Father, I do not want to return to any of my old ways that would distract me from your new ways for me. Please forgive me for casting my eyes rearwards and casting my nets again in familiar waters. AMEN
Today's Soul Snippet:
"The more Jesus has for you the more satan strives against you." ~ Michael Cartwright
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ENJOY ~ Old Habits Die Hard Again