If you're a camper, you're asleep when all of a sudden you hear your driver's nice, sweet, calm wake up song or maybe you hear your driver clanging pots and pans. Either way, you're awake now and you get called to eat breakfast. It's time for french toast that the driver has already lovingly prepared. It is also time for Solo Time.
Peter also had a morning like this (John 21) where Jesus called him to eat breakfast at the place Jesus had prepared on shore. It's funny how eating french toast and getting called off the houseboat to spend time with Jesus is so much like Peter's experience of being called to shore for breakfast with Jesus.
Answering the question, "how do you respond to Jesus when he invites you to have breakfast with him?" is different for all of us. Personally, my answer changes from time to time, but honestly, I can relate to Peter more than I would like to. Sometimes I don't join Jesus for breakfast and I feel guilt and shame which, like Peter, makes it so much easier to go back to my old lifestyle instead of going to the Father and accepting his love, mercy, and forgiveness. I would rather try and hide from Jesus because of my pride and guilt than go in humility back to Him. Peter didn't ignore Jesus' invitation that morning and found out how awesome God's love is even when we deny Him.
I find encouragement from Peter because I know that just as Peter was still loved, so am I, and just as Peter was still called to share the good news after denying Jesus, so am I. No matter what I will always be loved by Jesus. Each day is a new day and I need to remember that even though I messed up the day before, I am forgiven and can go and eat breakfast with the Father. Jesus will always be there with my favorite cereal or french toast waiting for me.
Breakfast with Jesus when we finally go back to him is so amazing. John 21 is such a great reminder of this. It's time for us to get off the boat and have some french toast with Jesus.
Kate, my friend, I don't even know what to say to this except a big fat AMEN!
ReplyDeleteI just had a really big conversation / tear fest last night with my roommate all about the truth of "Each day is a new day and I need to remember that even though I messed up the day before, I am forgiven and can go and eat breakfast with the Father." Such a beautiful image, and so well-articulated. Thanks!
Now go enjoy some honey bunches of oats with Jesus ;)
DUDE KATIE! I totally am identifying with you with meeting at the beginning of each day again with Jesus because for so long I have been denying Jesus of time, my quiet time had been lacking for so long before trainee weekend happened, and i felt so convicted of how much God listens to us and cares for us, but we don't even give him a sliver of our day often times. But ever since i have had quiet times, man it is crazy how much I feel God's love even MORE! He loves us no matter what, and gives us so many second chances, I was just writing this in my blog haha.
ReplyDeleteAmen Girl Amen! You could not have pointed it out or said it better!!