From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God. Self cannot satisfy self. We must hunger for God.
This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God. Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.
“Could it be that a legitimate state of hope is hopelessness?”
—Dr. A.J. Swoboda
Day 38: Fasting Shattered Dreams
Shattered dreams are a part of life; every person experiences them at some level in relationships. Maybe it is because our expectations are too high for ourselves or others; maybe it is simply because we want something Jesus has not designed or planned for us, our loved ones, or our vocational aspirations. Or, maybe God is still working his miraculous redemption and the whole picture hasn’t been revealed. However, we can always find Jesus in the midst of our most difficult experiences and losses. He is eternally good and unfailingly loving; his grace never diminishes and always seeks to restore our sense of well-being—shalom.
If it were possible to question every disciple of Jesus throughout the ages, I am sure each one of them would confirm having buried a dream or two. Actually, I am positive the remaining disciples in Jerusalem who witnessed the capture, trial, scourging, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus would describe the entire event as shattered dreams. No one expected things to go the way they did.
Momentarily, their dreams for abundant and victorious life with God were buried with Jesus. How do they pick up the pieces of losing this loved One? Certainly, denying it happened is not an option. So, the disciples choose to stay together which is a wise thing as when we are hurting deeply we need other believers ministering to us.
Today, we will fast our dreams and losses, because our faith in God must be planted even in the painful times; maybe especially in those moments. God knows how to resurrect a dream; better yet, God knows how to impart a bigger dream than we had originally. God knows how to heal a heart that is broken by loss. God knows how to bless us and satisfy our greatest needs.
In our passage today, after the burial of Jesus, the disciples go back to doing what is comfortable; they go fishing. Yet, the resurrected Jesus is there waiting for them on the shore with breakfast. Can you imagine how that moment with Jesus changed everything that had happened days before? The mighty power of Jesus brought the disciples more than they could ask or think (Eph 3:20). If you are hurting, don’t just try to escape your feelings through busyness. God is not dead; he is present and we must remain present for his help, too.
John 21:10-14 NLT 10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.
12 “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. 14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being present in our lives through the good times and in the mosts difficult times for our souls. Instead of trying to escape the difficulties, disappointments, or shattered dreams, please help us to be still and press in for more of you and your grace and strength. Help us plant the seeds of faith and look for healing and wholeness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.