Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 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. (Jn.21:4-6)
Lord Jesus, the older I get the more I realize one of our main callings as those who belong to you is to “realize that you are you.” That is, to look for you more often, Jesus, see you more clearly, and see more of you. Open the eyes of our hearts to do so, Lord, and heal us from any cataracts of unbelief we are growing.
You don’t always fill our nets with fish, but you do constantly fill our lives with expressions of your nearness, goodness, and grace. You did so yesterday in a most unexpected and refreshing way. Fall break, Fall colors, first real Fall temperature, and a Fall into the chilly water of a friend’s pond was a fresh baptism of joy.
Among many things, I was hoping grandson Otto would catch fish this weekend—a bunch and a few big ones. Well, BOOM! After he caught the biggest bream I have ever seen, he cut as big of an eye-squinting smile as his 10-year-old face could contain. But you weren’t done.
You didn’t tell me to cast my line on the other side of the dock, but you put a fish on the end of my line so big it snatched my rod off the dock into the 5-spring fed lake. My eye caught this whole event unfolding, but my hand was slower than the determined fish. Momentum took over and next thing I knew I was 100% underwater—hearing aids in, Fitbit watch on wrist, iPhone in pocket as I watched my ultra-lite rod and reel sink at a rate faster than gravity—a big fish for sure.
The first thing I felt was joy. I can’t explain it, but it’s no exaggeration. I wasn’t embarrassed for my son and grandson to see Dad/Papa drenched. An angel didn’t push me in—so I don’t want to over-spiritualize this story. But I do see you in it, Jesus. Thank you for a fresh immersion in joy. I’ll take more. So Very Amen.
