June 14th, 2025
Waiting on God's Timing: Finding Renewal in Life's Pauses
Life often feels like a series of waiting periods. We wait to graduate, to get our driver's license, to start a career, to find love. These intervals can be challenging, leaving us feeling adrift and uncertain. But what if these moments of pause are actually opportunities for growth and spiritual renewal?
Consider the disciples after Jesus' resurrection. They found themselves in a period of waiting, unsure of what to do next. Their response? They went fishing. It wasn't just about catching fish; it was about staying busy, maintaining focus, and continuing to live while they waited for further direction.
This seemingly mundane decision led to an extraordinary encounter with the risen Christ. As they fished unsuccessfully through the night, Jesus appeared on the shore, though they didn't recognize Him at first. He called out, suggesting they cast their nets on the other side of the boat. The result? A miraculous catch of 153 fish.
This story teaches us several profound lessons about waiting and recognizing God's presence in our lives:
1. Stay Connected and Keep Busy
During periods of waiting, it's crucial to stay connected to our faith and keep ourselves productively occupied. The disciples didn't sit idle; they engaged in familiar work. Similarly, we should use our waiting periods to deepen our spiritual practices, serve others, or develop our skills. This keeps us focused and open to God's guidance.
2. God's Plan May Differ from Ours
The disciples caught nothing all night until Jesus intervened. Sometimes, our efforts seem fruitless because God has a different plan. Our perceived failures or delays might be setting the stage for something greater. Trust that even when things don't go as expected, God is working behind the scenes.
3. God Reveals Himself in Familiar Ways
Jesus repeated a miracle He had performed earlier in His ministry. This familiarity helped the disciples recognize Him. God often reveals Himself through patterns and repetitions in our lives. Pay attention to these echoes of past experiences; they might be signposts pointing to God's presence.
4. Our Response to God's Revelation Matters
When the disciples first experienced the miraculous catch earlier in Jesus' ministry, Peter responded with shame and unworthiness. This time, he leapt into the water, eager to be with Jesus. Our spiritual growth is evident in how we respond to God's presence. Do we shrink back in fear, or do we rush towards Him with joy and anticipation?
5. God Provides in Unexpected Ways
Upon reaching the shore, the disciples found Jesus had already prepared breakfast. This echoes the feeding of the 5,000, reminding us that God not only meets our spiritual needs but also cares for our physical well-being. Even when we feel we've come up empty, God's provision is often already in place.
6. Every Day Offers a Fresh Start
The breakfast Jesus prepared wasn't just a meal; it was a powerful symbol of new beginnings. In our spiritual journey, we often need fresh starts. Every time we turn to the cross, remember Christ's sacrifice, participate in communion, witness a baptism, or hear words of forgiveness, we're being offered a new beginning.
This concept is beautifully illustrated in a story about breakfast's significance. A man recounts how, during his difficult childhood, his mother would make breakfast after tough times as a way of saying, "We can start over." This is precisely what Jesus offers us – not just once, but continually.
In our lives, we all face moments where we've "messed up royally." The beautiful truth of the gospel is that Jesus constantly invites us to "come and have breakfast" – to start anew, to be forgiven, to begin again in His grace.
This renewal isn't just about forgiveness; it's about recognizing Jesus in our daily lives. Just as He revealed Himself to the disciples through familiar miracles, He reveals Himself to us through His Word, through the sacraments, through acts of love and grace in our lives. Our task is to be attentive, to recognize these revelations, and to respond with joy and gratitude.
As we navigate life's waiting periods, let's remember:
1. Stay busy and focused on God, even when the path ahead is unclear.
2. Trust that God's plan, though sometimes different from ours, is always for our good.
3. Look for God's revelations in the familiar patterns of your life.
4. Respond to God's presence with eagerness and joy, not fear or shame.
5. Trust in God's provision, even when it seems unlikely.
6. Embrace the fresh starts God offers us daily through His grace.
Life is full of waiting periods, but they need not be wasted time. Instead, they can be rich opportunities for growth, renewal, and deeper connection with God. In these pauses, we can learn to see Jesus more clearly, trust His provision more deeply, and embrace His grace more fully.
So the next time you find yourself in a period of waiting, remember the disciples on the shore. Keep your nets in the water, your eyes on the horizon, and your heart open to the voice that calls, "Come and have breakfast." For in that invitation is the promise of new beginnings, abundant grace, and the ever-present love of a Savior who is always ready to reveal Himself to those who seek Him.
In Christ,
Pastor Paul Pett
(Content generated by PulpitAI from sermon transcript)
Life often feels like a series of waiting periods. We wait to graduate, to get our driver's license, to start a career, to find love. These intervals can be challenging, leaving us feeling adrift and uncertain. But what if these moments of pause are actually opportunities for growth and spiritual renewal?
Consider the disciples after Jesus' resurrection. They found themselves in a period of waiting, unsure of what to do next. Their response? They went fishing. It wasn't just about catching fish; it was about staying busy, maintaining focus, and continuing to live while they waited for further direction.
This seemingly mundane decision led to an extraordinary encounter with the risen Christ. As they fished unsuccessfully through the night, Jesus appeared on the shore, though they didn't recognize Him at first. He called out, suggesting they cast their nets on the other side of the boat. The result? A miraculous catch of 153 fish.
This story teaches us several profound lessons about waiting and recognizing God's presence in our lives:
1. Stay Connected and Keep Busy
During periods of waiting, it's crucial to stay connected to our faith and keep ourselves productively occupied. The disciples didn't sit idle; they engaged in familiar work. Similarly, we should use our waiting periods to deepen our spiritual practices, serve others, or develop our skills. This keeps us focused and open to God's guidance.
2. God's Plan May Differ from Ours
The disciples caught nothing all night until Jesus intervened. Sometimes, our efforts seem fruitless because God has a different plan. Our perceived failures or delays might be setting the stage for something greater. Trust that even when things don't go as expected, God is working behind the scenes.
3. God Reveals Himself in Familiar Ways
Jesus repeated a miracle He had performed earlier in His ministry. This familiarity helped the disciples recognize Him. God often reveals Himself through patterns and repetitions in our lives. Pay attention to these echoes of past experiences; they might be signposts pointing to God's presence.
4. Our Response to God's Revelation Matters
When the disciples first experienced the miraculous catch earlier in Jesus' ministry, Peter responded with shame and unworthiness. This time, he leapt into the water, eager to be with Jesus. Our spiritual growth is evident in how we respond to God's presence. Do we shrink back in fear, or do we rush towards Him with joy and anticipation?
5. God Provides in Unexpected Ways
Upon reaching the shore, the disciples found Jesus had already prepared breakfast. This echoes the feeding of the 5,000, reminding us that God not only meets our spiritual needs but also cares for our physical well-being. Even when we feel we've come up empty, God's provision is often already in place.
6. Every Day Offers a Fresh Start
The breakfast Jesus prepared wasn't just a meal; it was a powerful symbol of new beginnings. In our spiritual journey, we often need fresh starts. Every time we turn to the cross, remember Christ's sacrifice, participate in communion, witness a baptism, or hear words of forgiveness, we're being offered a new beginning.
This concept is beautifully illustrated in a story about breakfast's significance. A man recounts how, during his difficult childhood, his mother would make breakfast after tough times as a way of saying, "We can start over." This is precisely what Jesus offers us – not just once, but continually.
In our lives, we all face moments where we've "messed up royally." The beautiful truth of the gospel is that Jesus constantly invites us to "come and have breakfast" – to start anew, to be forgiven, to begin again in His grace.
This renewal isn't just about forgiveness; it's about recognizing Jesus in our daily lives. Just as He revealed Himself to the disciples through familiar miracles, He reveals Himself to us through His Word, through the sacraments, through acts of love and grace in our lives. Our task is to be attentive, to recognize these revelations, and to respond with joy and gratitude.
As we navigate life's waiting periods, let's remember:
1. Stay busy and focused on God, even when the path ahead is unclear.
2. Trust that God's plan, though sometimes different from ours, is always for our good.
3. Look for God's revelations in the familiar patterns of your life.
4. Respond to God's presence with eagerness and joy, not fear or shame.
5. Trust in God's provision, even when it seems unlikely.
6. Embrace the fresh starts God offers us daily through His grace.
Life is full of waiting periods, but they need not be wasted time. Instead, they can be rich opportunities for growth, renewal, and deeper connection with God. In these pauses, we can learn to see Jesus more clearly, trust His provision more deeply, and embrace His grace more fully.
So the next time you find yourself in a period of waiting, remember the disciples on the shore. Keep your nets in the water, your eyes on the horizon, and your heart open to the voice that calls, "Come and have breakfast." For in that invitation is the promise of new beginnings, abundant grace, and the ever-present love of a Savior who is always ready to reveal Himself to those who seek Him.
In Christ,
Pastor Paul Pett
(Content generated by PulpitAI from sermon transcript)
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