Empty Nets

"Empty nets, Lord.

Moments when the strands that keep my life together seem tenuous,
thin threads incapable of holding anything of note.
My fishing futile, with nothing much to show for all I’ve done.

I sit with Peter and his friends,
cold in the dark, my minds amalgam of faith and uncertainty in equal parts with hope and fear,
not knowing what’s best, what my next move should be.
Times when I sit alone, human and vulnerable,
boat drifting in an early morning mist of fearfulness – net snagged on disappointment.
And yet you’re there, walking the edges of my life.

Calling me to one more effort,
your presence tempering the dark, your sunrise scattering the mist.
And when I move to try again, your early morning promise offers me warmth and welcome,
and the reassurance that my life is lived with you and the darkness,
and the mist don’t count.” - Eddie Askew

I absolutely love and appreciate these words from Eddie Askew. His prayer puts into words some of the fragile moments of my own faith. Eddie Askew served in the Leprosy Mission (TLM) for many years and used his talents as an author, speaker and artist to bring hope to all who suffered with Leprosy. For more on his life, read this splurb.

Living in Grace

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Looking for direction

As we contemplate Jesus' appearance to the 7 disciples, at the Sea of Galilee (John 21), there is an interesting connection between night and day - darkness and light. 

“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

The disciples were feeling lost and so they went back to the work that they knew. However, even that didn't seem to be working out for them. So, into this situation Jesus appears and starts to renew their purpose and direction. He shares breakfast with them and reinstates Peter, giving him his new mission. 

Eddie Askew – “It was a dark night for them, out on the water, and the enveloping mist must have emphasised their sense of isolation. Yet at their lowest point, their empty nets a metaphor for their empty lives, Jesus is there on the shore. They can’t see him, but he is there, sharing the dark hours, waiting to welcome, warm and feed them round the fire, ready to point them in a new direction.” 

God is always willing to point us in a new direction, especially if we are willing to be used for his glory.

Living in Grace

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Take care

"God has created a world in which we are the ones who care for one another. To put it another way, God cares for us, THROUGH one another." - James Bryan Smith (Embracing God)

I found this quote challenging today. It is not anything new, but it is hard to live out in our daily lives. We get to show people that God has not forgotten them, but simply showing them love and care. Our act of love/care/mercy will show others that God still CARES!

John 21:16 - Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

Living in Grace
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Definition of Insanity

Albert Einstein said that the definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." 

Just before we point a finger at the millions of 'insane' people in our world, let's all take a long hard look at ourselves. 
Are we carrying on the same old fashion and getting frustrated at the lack of results? 
Are we repeating the same mistakes as last week and wondering why?
Have we reflected on what needs to change in our lives if we want to move forward?

I am challenged by the story of the 7 disciples in John 21, who go back fishing. They fished all night and caught zip! Then Jesus comes to the shoreline and directs them to fish on the other side of the boat. What a simple suggestion.
Why didn't the disciples think of that? 
Why were they just doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result? 
What happened when they took Jesus' advice and cast on the other side? 

Read the story for yourself:

"When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish." - John 21:6

Perhaps God is prompting us to try something new or to focus in a different direction. Notice that he didn't ask the disciples to stop fishing, BUT rather to cast in another direction. Ask the Spirit to guide you as you reflect on these things.

Living in Grace
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