Do The Next Thing

Peter was not sure what he was supposed to do. The past couple of weeks had been indescribably intense. Jesus had been betrayed by Judas and tried at midnight for blasphemy. The swift verdict was crucifixion. By noon Jesus was hanging by nails and Judas by a noose. The memory of his own denial of Jesus felt like an opened wound. That Friday and Saturday had been worse than a nightmare. And Sunday had simply been surreal. It began with Jesus’ missing body and ended with his sudden appearance among the disciples in their locked room.

Now Peter was sitting with Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John and 2 others. They were just waiting. Jesus hadn’t told them what to do next. Peter used to know just what to do: prepare the nets and boat, go fishing, take what he caught and sell it in the markets. Fishing was hard and sometimes dangerous work. But Peter knew what to do. The memory was familiar and comforting.

So As long as he didn’t know what to do, he figured that he might as well do something productive. “I am going fishing,” he announced. The other replied, “ We will go with you.” Peter wasn’t the only restless one.
All night the fished, Cast and pull. Nothing. Cast and pull. Nothing. Try the other side of the boat. Nothing. Move the boat. Nothing. Try again. Nothing. Where are the fish? Nothing. Move again. Nothing. A little deeper, a little shallower. Nothing.
Just as day was breaking, Peter heard a voice from the shore. “Children, do you have any fish?” James’ exasperated response was, “No!” Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”
Ordinarily, this would have been irritating but these instruction were familiar. This had happened before. Peter and John glanced at one another and the tossed the net. The sudden weight almost pulled them overboard. It could not be! It was! Fish! And the were huge! They could mot even get the net into the boat.
John’s eyes were as big as the fish when he looked at Peter and said, “It is the Lord!” Peter handed the net to Nathaniel, threw on his out garment and dove into the sea, leaving the others to row in dragging the bulging net.
When they got to shore they found Jesus preparing breakfast for them. Very graciously he said.” Bring some of the fish that you have caught.” Then Jesus served them breakfast and gave them the next instructions.
This account from John 21 shows Jesus leading his bewildered disciples. And we 21st century disciples are just as easily bewildered. There are a few lessons to be learned from this chapter.
First, waiting on Jesus is a common experience for the disciples. Sometimes we wait for direction or for an open door, sometimes we wait to understand his purposes, sometimes we wait for a promise to be fulfilled. Jesus wants his disciples to learn to trust his promises in the face of what appears to be uncertain circumstances. And we learn that while Jesus is completely reliable, he can be unpredictable. His timing and purposes are not always clear to us, though they are always best for us.
Second, when you are not sure what to do next, as Elisabeth Elliot says, “Do the next thing.” I am sure that the disciples had prayed for guidance during those days but no clear instructions had come. Fishing just seems like a good idea. A it turned out, it was exactly what the Lord wanted them to do. Jesus was leading them, just differently. AS the did the next thing Jesus met them and directed them.
Third, Jesus is in complete control. Peter and the rest of the disciples were experienced fishermen. They did their best, yet caught nothing. But that morning they discovered that Jesus was sovereign over their decisions, the boat, the sea, the fish, and time. He was completely in charge.In following Jesus there are seasons of bewildering intensity and seasons of bewildering waiting. He does not want us to panic during either. Jesus is in control of both. When yo don’t understand his promises. And when you are not sure what to do next, do the next thing.

(parts from DesiringGod)