In life, we often start our faith journey with excitement and joy, eager to follow Jesus just like the disciples who dropped everything to follow Him. Maybe you’ve experienced this in your own salvation story. Whether it was a life-altering moment or a quiet, gradual decision, there was a time when you said "yes" to Jesus. But then life happened. And with it came disappointments, trials, and setbacks that tested that initial excitement.
The story of Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, mirrors this. Peter was all in from the start, ready to follow Jesus with zeal. But like many of us, Peter experienced life’s hardest blows—the kind that makes you question your decisions and doubt if you’re still on the right path.
When Life Tests Your Faith
Let’s start with Peter’s first encounter with Jesus. He and his fellow fishermen had been working all night without success. When Jesus told them to let down their nets one more time, they caught more fish than they had ever seen. Peter immediately knew Jesus was someone worth following, and he left everything behind to do just that.
Maybe that’s been your experience. You followed Jesus, and it felt like everything was going right. But then came the hard part. Peter’s journey didn’t stop with that miraculous catch. As time went on, Peter witnessed the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. Worse, Peter himself became the betrayer, denying Jesus three times when the pressure became unbearable. And yet, even after Jesus rose from the dead, Peter, overwhelmed by guilt and confusion, went back to fishing.
How often do we, like Peter, return to our old habits and comforts when life disappoints us? Perhaps you've faced job losses, broken relationships, financial struggles, or health issues that left you feeling disconnected from God. It's easy to feel like you've messed up too much to still be useful to God, just like Peter did after his denial of Christ. But here’s the beautiful truth: Jesus isn’t done with you.
Jesus’ Call Is Perpetual
Even when Peter went back to his boat, Jesus came after him. He didn’t scold Peter for his failure but instead asked him a simple question: “Do you love me?” (John 21:15-17). This is the question Jesus asks each of us when we feel like giving up. And like Peter, our answer should be a resounding “yes” despite our shortcomings.
Jesus' call to follow Him is not a one-time event. It's a daily invitation, regardless of how many times we stumble. The Christian life isn’t about never falling; it’s about getting up every time and trusting that God’s grace is bigger than our failures.
Obedience Brings the Blessing
In both of Peter’s fishing encounters with Jesus, the key to success was obedience. The disciples didn’t catch anything until they followed Jesus' instructions. At the beginning of Peter's journey, when Jesus first said, “Follow me,” Peter did, and the result was a miraculous catch. Even after the Resurrection, when Peter was ready to give up, Jesus instructed him to cast the net on the other side of the boat. Peter obeyed, and once again, the nets were overflowing.
What’s the lesson here? Obedience to Jesus leads to abundance. This doesn’t necessarily mean material wealth, but it does mean a life rich in purpose, joy, and fulfillment. When we trust Jesus, even when it doesn’t make sense, we open ourselves to receive blessings far beyond what we can imagine.
Hebrews 13:15-16 reminds us that praising God isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s a sacrifice of praise, especially when life’s circumstances don’t seem to give us much reason to celebrate. But it’s in those moments—when we choose to obey God and give Him praise despite our situation—that we are blessed beyond measure.
The Importance of Persevering Through Pain
Following Jesus is not about avoiding life’s hardships. In fact, Jesus promises that trials will come. But He also promises that He will be with us through it all (Matthew 28:20). Peter’s journey shows us that our failures and struggles don’t disqualify us from following Jesus. If anything, they make us more dependent on His grace.
There’s a popular saying in Christian circles: “We fall down, but we get up.” This captures the essence of our walk with Christ. Life will throw curveballs—broken dreams, difficult diagnoses, financial burdens, relational heartbreak. You might even find yourself asking, “What is happening, God?” But every time you get back up, you grow stronger in your faith.
1 John 1:9 offers a powerful promise: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This reminds us that God’s forgiveness is always available, no matter how far we’ve strayed. He offers us a way back, a chance to start anew.
A Life of Obedience and Faith
The call to follow Jesus is both simple and challenging. It’s simple because it only requires us to say “yes” to Jesus every day. But it’s challenging because life often tempts us to take back control, to revert to old ways of thinking and living.
Malachi 3:10 speaks about tithing, but it also carries a broader message about obedience: “Test me in this,” says the Lord, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” God’s blessings come when we trust Him with everything—our money, our relationships, our time, our lives.
Like Peter, you might not always understand why Jesus is asking you to cast your net again. But when you do, you’ll find that the blessings that come from obeying Him far exceed anything you could have imagined.
Jesus Cares for You
Finally, remember that Jesus cares deeply for you. He cared for Peter, even after Peter had denied Him. He pursued Peter, restored him, and called him to feed His sheep. In the same way, Jesus comes to you in your weakest moments and invites you to return to Him. He’s not keeping score of your failures; instead, He’s offering you grace and a fresh start.
So, whether you’re at the beginning of your journey with Jesus or you feel like you’ve been going in circles, know this: Jesus is always calling you to follow Him. His love for you is unshakable, and His plans for you are greater than you can imagine.