“I am going fishing.” John 21:3

Some people have a pondering place; somewhere to go when you need to think things through. It is a “just Jesus and me” place. It may be a spot on the hill, the chair by the window, or any number of places where the Lord seems close. I knew a lady who got in her car and drove, a man who got on his plane and flew. For Peter it must have been his boat.

The weekend had been hard, and hope was playing “hide and seek” with Peter’s soul. He had failed the Lord, and the pain was too much. The image of the cross would not go away. Jesus had really died; yet Jesus was alive, but why was his soul still hurting. Why had the resurrection not given him peace?

“I’m going fishing.” That little boat would bounce on the water through the night with a rhythm that matched the beating of his aching heart. His soul was just as empty as the nets; and he knew in his heart that fishing days were over; and even worse, his walk with God seemed finished.

The sea was calm, but a storm raged in his mind and soul. O how he wished that Jesus would come and speak “PEACE” to this one, that Jesus would calm his anxious thoughts, like He once did the winds and the waves. With Jesus he could walk on water, but those days seemed gone forever.

He had no idea how close the Lord really was. This would be the day of a second chance. He had only to answer one question three times; Make a solid choice. “Peter, do you love me more than …?

There comes a moment of decision for us. We must also answer the question, “Do you love me more than these?” (We know what the “These” are to each one of us.) God bless the morning when we want Jesus more than anything else. Then the new day can begin.

Do you remember this beautiful old hymn?

“Sometimes when misgivings darken my way,
And faith’s light I just cannot see;
Then I asked the dear Lord,
“Please brighten my way”,
He whispers sweet peace to me.”