Prophecy: Jump Into Your Future

The other disciples went with Peter. They decided to follow him to the boat and fish as well, after all their hopes for a revolution were crushed too. What were they to do?

Scripture says that they fished all night and caught nothing. Dear ones, without the direction from God we find ourselves in an old place attempting to fix our dilemmas in our own strength. I truly believe that Peter was in a process, still learning to lean not on his own understanding, but to completely trust the Lord. Sure he was confused. We also get confused, but when we can’t figure it all out our default button should be to “trust God and press forward”.

I’m sure Peter (and the others) were exhausted after casting nets all night and dragging them in and finding nothing. I can imagine Peter thinking, Where’s Jesus in all this? He told us to “trust Him”. He said that all things were possible!

Yet, Jesus was there. He was watching them from shore. The next morning Jesus called out and asked, “Have you caught any fish yet?” (paraphrased verse 5). They responded with a “No.” Then Jesus instructed them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat and when they did they were not able to draw in the multitude of fish! Suddenly what looked impossible became possible! I believe Jesus wanted to prove to Peter that his future would not be fruitful without the empowerment of Jesus in his life.

There would be no grace or empowerment to go back to what was comfortable and familiar. Peter was being challenged to embrace an unknown future and mature in his calling as an apostle of God. Yes, Peter was in a test. Would he be willing to let all of it go? Could he leave the boat, the fish and his friends and let go of all of his past to embrace the new season?

Many of us are also in a test. Will we go fishing, go back to what is comfortable or trust God and embrace our future even if it appears unknown for a season?

Peter’s Future

If you take some time and read the entire passage of John 21:1-19, you will read that it was John who recognized Jesus’ voice calling out from the shore (verse 7). Peter and the other disciples did not recognize that it was Jesus instructing them to cast their net again. Why is this? Well, since I’m writing more about Peter at this time, let me suggest that in his confusion and lack of trust, he couldn’t hear the voice of the Savior. I can relate.

When I am confused concerning God’s promises for me, I easily isolate myself from His voice. I get more focused on the problem and the disappointment rather than remaining positioned in my destiny. Also, our intimacy with God becomes affected during disillusion and disappointment. But John, the disciple who understood the love of God and had the revelation of how much God truly loved him, recognized the voice of Jesus!

For us, when we understand that Jesus loves us all the time, even when we mess up and when we “go fishing,” we can quickly shake off all shame and dive back into the water and swim toward Jesus! Yes, Peter, when he knew it was Jesus, immediately clothed himself properly (which to us means removing the garment of shame and putting on robes of righteousness) and jumped into his future!

Jump Into Your Future

John 21:15-17 says, “So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’ He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He asked him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Lord, You know everything. You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep.'”