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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 is going to be
who he is. 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 for Jesus to show up. It doesn’t
matter if you are selling pencils or shining shoes or going to
school or if you are retired. Until Jesus shows up, just live. If
you are going to understand the Great Commission, it begins
there. Just live and wait for Jesus.
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