Soul Snack 9/55 ... Successful Failure
Soul Snack 9/55 ... Breakfast with Jesus - C
Successful Failure
Carelessly waves lapped the hull of this ancient fishing vessel. Recognisable creaks presented no unusual sounds to these mariners. This small team all at ease in their respective tasks and comfortable together.It was likely that these fishermen were casting a circular weighted net about 20 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 the simplicity of the endeavour only failure had been achieved.
Familiarity had brought no contempt here, simply a mindless repetition as each conducted their own roles well. Quickly in the absence of their master they had returned to their old ways. After all, they still had to eat - didn't they?
Into the repetitive intercourse of normal work events Jesus will arrive, especially when the things of work are drifting or even failing. Failure is no impediment to Jesus, in fact it is often an invitation.
"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
When we are giving out, Jesus is coming in. As energy flees and work fails Jesus attends. He will see me adrift and draw to me.
Peter was departing his call (Matt 16:17-19) and returning to his old ways.(This can be very easy to do if I think Jesus is absent from me.)
Jesus sees me when I return to my old ways. Failure in old ways (ones that you had previously been successful in) could well be a sign that Jesus is absent. It can also be a sign that Jesus is coming.
When I am down to nothing, Jesus is up to something.
He will bless my failure in the familiar so that He can reinstate His preferred future to me. This happens when I breakfast with Him.
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 help me too, to remember this prayer. AMEN