My dad believed he could get my mom to speak. She had been silent for some months near the end of her battle with dementia. “Nancy,” he declared as we walked into her room, “I had plans for these boys and then you went and took them to church.” Mom smiled and said, “Of course.” It was one of the last times I ever heard her speak. I am so glad I was there.
Who had plans for you? Have they come true? What were your plans for your life? A news broadcaster once said, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.”
Peter probably planned to be a fisherman. He had his own boat. Growing up on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he likely started early. As anyone who fishes can tell you, there are good days and bad days. Peter had just had a bad day. He had finally quit fishing when the stranger from Nazareth stepped in his boat like he owned it. Few people told Peter what to do, but Jesus asked him to push away from the shore. As he cleaned his nets, the Savior spoke, and Peter heard words like he had never heard before. After the preacher finished preaching, he turned to Peter and said, “Go fish again.”
“Master, if you say so . . .” Reluctantly, Peter obeyed and all of heaven broke loose in his life. Nets breaking, friends helping, Peter praying, he caught a lot of fish, but he cared less than he ever had. Something miraculous had occurred. Suddenly, Peter was overcome by shame at his own sin. Someone holy was sitting in his boat and he knew he was unholy. Peter asked the Master to leave him. But Jesus saw who Peter could be. He invited him to come with him and fish for people. Peter immediately obeyed.
Our gracious God still sees who we can be. We could settle for less than his plan and regret it forever. God has plans for us. Will we obey? Will we stay near him long enough to know him and become like him? Will God’s plan for our lives really work? Of course! All heaven will break loose as we follow his plan.
