How Can I Possibly Try Again?

For three years the disciples followed Jesus as He ministered and taught to many. Their lives were full – busy with tasks their Lord gave them and travelling many miles. So, you can imagine the emptiness they must feel after Jesus’ death. What purpose do their lives serve? What do they need to do?

In their frustration one night, a group of the disciples went back to what they knew well – fishing. I am sure this must have seemed anticlimactic after all they had been doing with Jesus, but they didn’t really have any other directive as of yet.

As was the practice in those days, they fished at night. It is likely they weren’t in too good of humour as they caught not one fish all night long. Now, as morning breaks, they see a stranger on shore who has the audacity to tell them to go out fishing again, only putting their nets out on the other side of their boat.

When their nets exploded with fish and they were unable to haul it into the boat because of the weight, they realized that this was no stranger making the suggestion to go out fishing again. It was Jesus.

What follows is one of the greatest restitution stories ever. After the disciples eat a breakfast of fish together, Jesus spends time with Peter. He asks Peter three times if he loves Him. Peter, who has so easily denied Jesus three times prior to His execution, now was given the opportunity to move forward and try again. Just as the disciples were given a new opportunity with the fish that morning, so Peter was to grow in abundance in His service and dedication to Jesus following that moment on the beach.

There are many times in our lives when we just don’t make the right choices. We get lax in our relationship with God. Our prayer lives suffer. Sometimes Scripture reading takes a backseat to our other pursuits. We might even have turned our back on Jesus a time or two as Peter did.

Peter was likely disheartened by his lack of strength to stand up for Jesus prior to His death. I know I don’t feel so great when I push Jesus to the back burner of my life. There can be feelings of guilt or doubt; perhaps even sadness or discouragement.

The amazing thing is that our loving Saviour picks us up from our doldrums and puts us back on the right path. Jesus is patient and kind and gently directs us in the way we should go. Sure, we screw up, but He is still right there to help us get on our feet again.

There are many things in this life that waste our time and distract us from God’s wonderful plan for us. When we get derailed, we might think there is no hope for us. How can we possible try again?

The good news is, there is always hope. Jesus can take what is messy in our lives and clean us up and give us a fresh start. It is possible to try again with His grace and mercy sustaining us.

For me personally, I don’t want to waste my precious time on Earth. I want to spend every minute inside of God’s plan, trusting that He will direct my ways always and for sure.

I pray that whatever situation you find yourself in that you will remember that Jesus loves you and He will give you another chance. There is always hope!

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