Nil Return

 


“Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.”

‭‭John‬ ‭21:3‬ ‭ESV

Ever worked hard and got nothing in return? Ever tried something and felt a sense of failure? Ever feel empty?  

That feeling of emptiness can be so heavy at times; it saps our strength, our will and our motivation. It slowly gnaws away at the inside of us to the point we think, is that all? Is this it?

The disciples had been out all night fishing. They went back to the only thing they knew, and they were expecting to get a result. They had been out all night and caught nothing, nada, not a thing, not even an old sandal! 

They hear a voice call out in the morning mist, “do you have any fish?” They didn’t recognise who it was and you can hear the frustration and disappointment in their reply “NO”. 

Life can be like that; things don’t turn out as we want or expect. Maybe it has been tough lately, and you thought you would be further ahead or in a better position. You’ve nothing to show for it except frustration, hurt and emptiness. 

Just like He did for the disciples, Jesus stands on the shore of your life and asks a probing question? “Did you catch anything? Did things turn out the way you hoped? How successful have you been?” 

We all love that kind of question when the answer is undeniable. What it does, though, is forces us to admit our failure, our weakness. That is what Jesus did with the disciples. Jesus tells them to cast the net on the other side; I imagine them muttering under their breath ““Like that will make any difference!” It was when the net became too heavy that it dawned on Peter “, it’s the Master”. 

We need to reach that place too in our lives as well, “Lord, I’m tired of doing it my way; I’m not satisfied with the way my life is going, but I’m coming to you, and I will cast that net again on the other side” I believe Jesus will take your life and take that emptiness and fill it with His plans, his purpose his blessing. 

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