Here we are on the journey towards Ascension Day (May 10th) in the second half of the season of Easter. Working our way in the church calendar to Pentecost (May 20th). How is your Resurrection journey going? Are you experiencing Easter, or is it still feeling more like Lent? I was just up in Chicago this week, and there, Spring is just beginning. The grass is finally turning green and the daffodils are finally starting to bloom. You could see the people coming back to life as they walked outside in the sunshine as the temperatures rose to 70 degrees! Maybe you are feeling like that. That the “winter” of your soul is still thawing and the blossom of Resurrection hasn’t happened just yet. Some time resurrection takes time. It’s definitely a process. Jesus appeared and reappeared over the course of forty days and the disciples were still a bit confused about what they were supposed to do next.
I’m there right now in my life, wondering what to do next. May 13th will be my 4th anniversary of knowing that I had cancer. I had a second opinion and the new doctor did “one more test” and found the cancer. Thankfully they caught it just in time so I only needed surgery and not chemo. This is still a BIG miracle to me. It’s been four years of change and transition. We moved across the country and started a new life in my old home town. It’s been a good move, but any time you move, or anytime there is a large event that happens like a death or an illness, it takes time to adjust. I feel i’m finally coming awake again and have energy to consider what is next and what Jesus wants to do in me and through me. Yet every year at this time, my fear and anxiety levels go way up as I worry that the cancer will return again.
I’ve heard it said that it takes three years to be present in a place and make friends. It may take even longer now that people don’t go to traditional jobs everyday but work in coffee shops and virtually. Three years. Jesus’s ministry with his disciples was that long or a bit longer. Jesus changed their world, rocked their point of view, changed their perspectives on everything. No wonder they were confused when he died, afraid when he reappeared ALIVE, and still questioning what they were to do next even after the Resurrection.
It gives me comfort that Peter takes some of the gang fishing in John 21. Peter goes back to what is familiar and what he knows how to do. Something that makes sense to him. Yet, they don’t catch any fish. They fish all night and catch nothing. Then the Stranger shows up on the beach and invites them to fish on the other side of the boat.
Am I willing to fish again where Jesus tells me to fish?
Even when i have fished all night?
Am I willing to LISTEN to Jesus?
Am I willing to jump out of the boat to swim towards Him? Even if it means leaving my friends in the boat?
My favorite part of the John 21 story is that Jesus already had fish cooking on the grill. Jesus had breakfast ready for Peter and the other guys.
Jesus knew they’d be hungry.
Jesus provided what they needed physically and then Jesus provided what Peter needed emotionally too.
Do I believe? Can I believe that Jesus knows my needs?
Can I believe, am I willing to trust, that Jesus has breakfast already cooked and ready for me in my life?
Am I willing to TRUST that the RESURRECTION is for me too?
After the abundant catch, and the picnic breakfast, Jesus reminds Peter of his call. Jesus gives Peter the “what’s next” and let’s Peter know that his betrayal wasn’t the end of the story.
Jesus asks Peter if he love Him. And Pete says three times, you know that I love you Jesus.
Jesus knows that I love Him too. Jesus knows that I have doubts, fears, and big anxieties and He knows when I betray Him and Loves me anyway.
He hasn’t forgotten me.
Jesus hasn’t forgotten you either.
Jesus thankfully knows the WHAT’S NEXT for all of us!
Today, I am willing to be willing to be on the journey, the adventure that is following Jesus.
Today, I will stop. Breathe, and Trust in the Hope of Jesus and His Resurrection.
BREATH PRAYER:
BREATHE IN: the love and hope and peace of Jesus.
BREATHE OUT: fear, anxiety, hopelessness
BREATHE IN: the love and hope and peace of Jesus
BREATHE OUT: fear, anxiety, hopelessness and doubt
BREATHE IN: the love and hope and peace of Jesus
BREATHE OUT: fear, anxiety, hopelessness and despair
BREATHE IN: LOVE
BREATHE OUT: HATE
BREATHE IN: LOVE
BREATHE OUT: FEAR
BREATHE IN: LOVE
BREATHE OUT: LOVE
AMEN