John 21:1 - 14

 John 21:1 - 14

We often, and almost exclusively, think of blessings in terms of increase, receiving something, or in having. We nearly never think of blessing in terms of frustration but sometimes in our walk as disciples we are blessed with frustration. In Peter's confused, upset, and chaotic life during the week after the resurrection he returns to Galilee. In the company of six other disciples Peter says, " I'm going fishing". The verb here indicates a linear action, in other words ‘on going and without end’. This was no recreational day trip nor way of getting a meal. Peter was ending his life as a fisher of men to become a fisherman of fish. Life before Jesus was hard, but it was predictable. It may have lacked zest, and that fire in the belly, but at least you didn’t have great hopes crushed by a Roman cross.  Not to mention the confusion of the enigma of a resurrected but oddly reclusive Messiah. He was no doubt emotionally, physically and financially exhausted. His return to fishing would be a blessing. Get a job, settle down, and stop chasing all over the place pursuing a wild dream. With six helpers he would build a fishing business again. He could not have counted on the blessing he did want the blessing of frustration: "and that night they called nothing."

How many times do we look up on frustration as a curse, or demonic effect, or the displeasure of God unfairly directed at us? It is possible that frustration can be wholly negative but it may also be something positive in disguise. If we assume frustration is negative we must assume we are correct in all our assessments and decisions along the way. That is an assumption we should be reluctant to make.

All night Peter did what he was best at; fishing. Come daybreak someone from shore asked for fish. Peter replied, “I got nothing”. In his heart or mind he may have thought “I can't do anything”. Which ironically is the exact place we have to be for God to make the most of us.

“Lord, in Your blessing of frustrations give me strength.  AMEN”