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the old vocation.” But we know why he was there. He came to see
the risen Christ. If Matthew was the spokesman and said, “I’m
going back to tax gathering,” I would think that maybe he was giving
up on being a Christian. If the Apostle Paul was there and said, “I’m
going back to persecuting Christians,” I would understand that he
was giving up.

I think when Peter said, “I’m going fishing,” it was different. I think
Peter was saying, “That’s all I know. I’m a fisherman. That’s what
I do. That’s my life. That’s my trade. From a little child I was
brought up as a fisherman.” Peter might have said, “I don’t know if
this is the right place. I don’t know if this is the right day. I don’t
know if this is the right time. I have no idea when He is going to
show up. So, I’m going fishing.”

I think what he had in his mind is that he was going to be who he
was. He wasn’t giving up on the Lord and He wasn’t going back on
the Lord. He knew he was forgiven but I think in his heart he felt
disqualified to ever be used by the Lord again. He had denied the
Lord. Jesus told him that someday he would be a fisher of men. I
think he gave up on that. But in his heart he had come to see the
risen Savior. He loved the Lord Jesus. So, he says, “Until He shows
up, I will just do what I do.”

Brothers and sisters, what are we supposed to do until Jesus shows
up? Let me give you the first answer to the Great Commission; go
fishing. In other words, just live. Be yourselves. Fishing represents
Peter. Until the Lord shows Himself to you, be who you are. God
has ever only wanted two things. He wants you to be you and He
wants Himself to be God. Stay out of the Godhead! Don’t try to be
God! Don’t try to do what only God can do! Be yourself, with your
gifts, your vocation, your calling, and your interests.

When you go fishing it might be sales or it might be teaching or it
might be farming or it might be inventing or it might be a machinist
or a doctor or a lawyer or a housewife. Just be who you are and wait