Perspectives

John 21-3-10… 3) “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. 4) Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5) He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish? “No,” they answered. 6) He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7) Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8) The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9) When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10) Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” (NIV)

Blessed quietness! That is what it is like on a deserted beach just before nightfall. Can you feel the stillness? Feel the cool water washing over your feet as you walk right at the very edge of the water? See the folks fishing in that slow moving boat close to shore? A silly thought just popped into my mind. I cannot resist the urge. I hold my hands around my mouth and shout, have you caught any fish? Someone in the boat shouts back, no we have not. I shout back, cast your lines over the other side of the boat! Silence returns, I wonder what is going through their minds at this very moment.

Take a deep breath, I mean a deep breath! Can you smell the lake? Or I should say, can you smell the water? It is during times like this that fond memories come rolling back into our minds. We get a little mushy inside, it is a great feeling to have one’s family with them. In my mind I can see them running in and out of the water, pushing and shoving each other, their laughter reverberates in the evening stillness.

No evening at the lake is complete without a campfire. And of course, the special little goodies that my wife prepares, goodies that taste good, you know the ones you eat after the hot dogs and marshmallows, the little cakes, and cookies. By now everybody is hunkered around the fire eating and talking together. Our voices murmur across the deserted beach. Smoke curls above the fire. The radiant heat of the crackling wood begins to chase away the darkness and the night chill that is closing in on us. There is something magic about sitting around an open fire, our eyes fixed on the flames as they shoot into the air, each with our own peculiar thoughts.

Listen! Can you hear that sound? There it is again! It is a Mourning Dove with a sad cry. Look at that sky, see the beauty in the night sky? Thousands upon thousands of stars, planets, and other heavenly bodies, each in their own prescribed place. Ever wonder how they got there? Who or what placed them there? What about myself? How do I fit into this great puzzle? Looking at my family sitting around the fire I am reminded of that which I have momentarily forgotten.

Let us have a look inside, I mean inside my very own soul. What do I see? Why do I do the things I do? What are my priorities? I will acknowledge there are times when my priorities are not arranged in their proper order. If I should off-load them on the table for you to see, they might just be arranged in this order I, me, myself, my vocation, our home, pleasure, family, community work, and perchance God. However, when I look at my family sitting around the fire, I commence to rearrange my priorities in this order.

See if you agree… first on the list is God: Because there is a God, plain and simple. Next on the list is my family: Because I believe God has entrusted them to me. Next on the list is my vocation: Because I now see my family as an integral part of myself and therefore, compelled to provide the necessities of life for them. Next two… community work and pleasures: Then of course comes me…

To God Be the Glory Great Thing He Has Done.

Would you pray this prayer with me? “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I want peace, joy and happiness that fulfills my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honor Your Name. Amen”