Reinstated - Just the Beginning

A new season is beginning in my life, and I’m at that point where it’s staring me in the face. I feel a little bit like Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, John, and the other disciples in John 21:1–14 — “Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish.”

The disciples were out fishing and had no clue Jesus was standing on the shore 100 yards away. He calls out to ask if they caught anything. They hadn’t. Jesus then tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat to find their catch.

This is a unique moment for the disciples. They were so preoccupied with the task at hand that they didn’t even recognize the resurrected Jesus talking to them, let alone about to bless the heck out of them. Sounds a lot like me sometimes.

We also see this with Mary Magdalene in John 20:14. She was so consumed in her sorrow that she thought a gardener was speaking to her, not the resurrected Jesus — the same Jesus who chose to reveal himself to her before anyone else.

What’s important to note is that the disciples had been around Jesus for quite some time, learning from him, witnessing miracles, helping, listening, and following him. Even after all this, they were still a bit dense and seemed to miss the message Jesus was trying to share about the Kingdom of God. But they were operating in the general will of God, and they were trying their best. Even though they didn’t completely grasp everything Jesus wanted to impart, they were being equipped piece by piece to step into the transformation that would make them the bold leaders who would share the good news with the world.

Answering the Call

We see in John 21:7–9 that John is the first to recognize Jesus, but Simon Peter is the first to act. He jumps in the water and swims directly toward Jesus.

I feel a bit like both of them right now. I’m at a point where I can recognize that Jesus is clearly calling me, and now it’s time to dive in.

For context, I’ve been active in my church — serving on Sundays, leading and attending a small group, seeking Spirit-minded people rather than just like-minded people, and doing the kinds of things that, on paper, an outsider would look at and say: “Wow, he is a good Christian.”

These things were all necessary for me to partake in so God could work on me and through me, and I treasure them. I needed them and I love them.

Now, I’ve come to a point of growth in my personal relationship with God where he’s looking at me like: “I am proud of you, Nathan. This is all great, and you must continue in these things, but it’s time to take another step, son.”

This next step for me is People College, my church’s Bible and leadership training school. I’ll be trained in biblical studies, leadership, and ministry while also being plugged into hands-on serving opportunities through the church.

I honestly never thought I would do something like this and tried to make plenty of excuses for why I didn’t need to. I’ll spare you from having to read what those were. None of them were valid. God made it very clear in one Sunday service that if I didn’t enroll, I would not be happy with myself down the line. Obedience.

I’m excited, nervous, and not sure what to expect. But I am confident, because I know this is what God is calling me to do — it’s a blessing.

Doing the Work

In John 21:11 we see that Jesus tells Peter to bring him the fish he just caught. The net was full of large fish. It was heavy and probably not easy to drag to the shore, but the net didn’t break.

Once again, I feel like Peter. I’ve got a huge net of blessings that Jesus is asking me to bring to him: a relationship that makes me want to be a better man of God, a new job that starts next week, the beginning of People College, a new season of small groups set to kick off, a run club + marathon training, and a vision for a company (Godspeed) that will lift up and bring light to the amazing work God is doing through his people.

These are all things I’ve prayed for.

This is all going to require discipline, focus, hard work, sacrifice, and strength to steward well. I know it’s not going to be easy, but Jesus is asking for it — and he will not let the net break. He will equip, strengthen, sustain, guide, and help me along the way.

“God’s faithful, and I’m not lazy.” My late Uncle Dave reminding me once again to roll up my sleeves and do the work God is calling me to do.

Give Thanks and Eat

And what does Jesus do after Peter brings him the net? He says: “Come and have breakfast.”

He invites them to break bread and share his company. To enjoy their catch, and his presence.

None of the disciples dared to ask, “Who are you?” They knew it could only be the Lord.

I know this next season of life can only be from God — giving me so many blessings that I couldn’t carry the load without him.

You ever been so blessed, or can sense you’re about to step into a season of blessing so rich, that you get a little nervous? Here I am.

I will be stretched in ways I can’t even see right now, but I am excited because I know God is doing something within me for his glory and Kingdom.

Takeaways for you:

• Are you currently so consumed with something that you can’t hear or see God trying to get your attention? (Don’t make him drop you on your head.)

• Are you struggling to carry your blessing because you keep bringing it to an idol instead of God himself, who gave it to you?

• God provides the miracle — we do the work.

• Have you recognized where God is calling you next, but not taken the first step toward him?

GODSPEED…