On a drizzly, grey couple of days in early January this year, my 62-year-old son and my 40-year-old grandson were celebrating their birthdays by going with most of the other male relatives to enjoy a couple of days fly fishing.
I snuggled down into my comfy armchair and pictured them standing in a soaked little group amid chill winds and darkening skies, vainly hoping to catch something better than a cold. However, the next morning I received a picture of Jon with a huge trout almost as big as himself. I was duly impressed until I realised that I had been the one hooked. By AI, of course! Despite the weather, the group had had a splendid time together, and they had caught some fish, though nothing of that size!
So, some two thousand years after the barbecue with Jesus, young men are still having a great time together even though they are cold and wet.
We were meditating on John 21: 9 – 12.
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’
We felt the Lord was saying:-
Come and sit with me and eat and drink and talk with Me, for I am here for you. Why turn elsewhere when you can have Me? It is as you sit with Me that you are strengthened and satisfied and blessed. For you hear My voice and I give you understanding in everything that is needful for you to know.
Come aside with Me and experience My life and living that gives abundance. For a better simple meal with Me than a sumptuous one that leaves you exhausted and wasted. Come to Me then and sit with Me, and we will speak together, and I will answer your questioning and give you wisdom.
I did not show Myself to My disciples, accompanied by a chariot of flaming fire. I did not send a million angels playing trumpets to announce My presence. I did not array Myself in royal robes. Instead, I came in simplicity to join them in what to them was the real world.
So, I will meet with you in your ministry, but also in your simple pleasures. Know that I am present in everyday events, and that I go with you into all situations. For My promise is that I will never leave you. In heaven, you will see My glory and hear the praise of multitudes, yet still there will be opportunity to share intimate fellowship and to talk with Me. For heaven is not less, but infinitely more in every way. Good things are in store for you, great things and simple pleasures too. Do not be afraid of what is to come, but trust Me for yourself and for those you love.
