Soul Snack 51/12 ... Successful failure

Unobserved waves lapped the hull of this ancient fishing vessel. Recognisable creaks presented no unusual sounds to these seasoned mariners. This small team were all at ease with their respective tasks and comfortable together.

It was likely that these fishermen were casting a circular weighted net about twenty feet in diameter. As the weights fall and pull the net together the fish are then trapped. Some in this team would be casting, others would be retrieving. Yet despite both the simplicity of the endeavour and the all-night vigil only failure had been achieved.

Familiarity had brought no contempt here, simply a mindless repetition as each conducted their roles without success.

Quickly in the death-filled absence of their master these disciples had returned to their old ways. After all, they still had to eat - didn't they?

"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said,"We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus." (John 21:3-4)

Into the repetitive intercourse of normal work events Jesus does arrive, especially when the things of work are drifting or even failing. Failure is no impediment to Jesus in fact it is often an invitation.

When we are giving out, Jesus is coming in. As energy flees and work fails Jesus attends. He will see you adrift and draw to you.

Peter was departing his call (Matthew 16:17-19) and returning to his old ways as a fisherman. (This can be very easy to do if you think Jesus is absent from you.)

Jesus sees you when you return to your old ways. Failure in old ways (ones that you had previously been successful in) could well be a sign that Jesus is now absent; it can also be a sign that Jesus is coming to you.

When you are down to nothing, Jesus is up to something.

He will bless your failure in familiar circumstances so that He can reinstate His preferred future to you. This happens when you breakfast with Him as Peter did do (see John 21:12).

O Father, I do not want to return to any of my old ways that would distract me from your new ways for me. Please help me too, to remember this prayer. AMEN

Today's Soul Snippet:

The more Jesus has for you the more satan strives against you.