Imagine this -
Can you imagine fishing from a boat all night without any luck? At daybreak, a voice calls from shore to ask if you have any fish. When this person learns that you haven't caught any, He suggests that you try another spot nearby, which produces a good catch. You then realize that the "someone" on the beach is a friend of yours whom you didn't expect to see at this hour, and you hurry in to greet him. Upon arriving, you find He already has a fire of burning coals with fish cooking on it and some bread as well. He says to bring some of the fish you have just caught, and to come and have breakfast.
The preceding is a condensed version of the disciples' experience with Jesus as stated in John 21, verses 1 through 12. The person on the shore is none other than Jesus, the risen Christ. And you just imagined yourself to be a fisherman, and His friend.
Realize this -
There is another, more important relationship that the disciples had with Jesus which was established prior to friendship; and that is one of Jesus as Lord and Master. Although the Son of God referred to Himself many times as the "Son of Man", He is also our Emmanuel or "God with us". If you want to know God, then you must meet Him. Are you ready?
Why this -
Here is the premise, the problem and the point for what is contained in these works. Who we think we are is based on so much that can be gone in an instant. Our identity is linked to a variety things including our profession and position, people with whom we associate and call friend, the amount of money we have or the objects we own. It could also be some physical attribute, beautiful hair, strong physique, etc. Our perceived self-worth and value is tied up in a web of connections that possess us more than we possess them and in our western culture, we spend a great deal of time and effort acquiring and maintaining these identifiers.
The problem is that most all of them are transitory and can cease to exist in an instant. In addition, at some point we find their benefit is really superficial and in the long run they do not provide the nourishment our souls really need. The feeling of emptiness we experience when we lose one or more of these identifiers can be enormous.Failed personal relationships, such as divorce, are one of the hardest hitting losses we experience which cause turmoil in our lives as they force us to re-examine our worth or value.
There is only One who can satisfy our
inner-most longing for a trustworthy friend who will whisper good
counsel in our ear and remain faithful to us; and that is God Himself.
Do you know that He has offered to draw near to those who seek him? I
don't know what your personal relationship is with Him now, nor will
I know in the future, for that will be between you and Him. But if you
are tired of the fare that the world has to offer and you are thinking
that there must be more to life, ask yourself if you are ready to seek
Him with all of your heart?
If so, I pray that the messages and
music within will be of encouragement to you as well as to those who
are already walking in the way of Christ.