“That night they caught nothing.” (John 21:3 NKJV) When Jesus first called His disciples, He told them, “I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19 NKJV). However, after hearing Him promise to rise from the dead and actually seeing Him alive, they still went back to what they were doing before they met Him—fishing. See, God will use your past experiences to teach you, but He always leads you forward—never back.

When fear and uncertainty make you want to go back to the comfort of what you know, you end up like the disciples: “That night they caught nothing.” But here is the good news: If God has called you, you’re still called. Notice how Jesus addresses them: “Children, have you any food?” (John 21:5 NKJV). In spite of your Uninspired performance, you’re still God’s redeemed child. Nothing will change that.

Next, He tells them: “‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to pull the net in because of the enormous number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’” (vv. 6-7 NIV). Do you know what Jesus did next? He ate breakfast with them, he renewed fellowship, he removed their doubts, and then he empowered them to change the world.

There is a very important lesson here. When you work outside God’s will, it’s like fishing on the wrong side of the boat; you wear yourself out and end up having little to show for your efforts. Are you struggling, are you tired, are you just at your wit’s end? Maybe it’s because you’re fishing on the wrong side of the boat! Things will start to work out right when you submit to Christ, renew your fellowship with him, accept his Grace, His mercy, and allow Him to direct you.

Lee | GG Team