John 21:3 (ESV)
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.”
Indeed it takes a deep conviction and a lot of courage to travel on the less popular trail. The ancient path will never be listed as the smooth new highway. Everyone wants to get on the best, the fastest route to their destination. The most promising route. However, the acceleration in the world today is not the best gauge that people know where they are heading. In the lockdown season now in most parts of the world, different sectors are calling on experts to give their invaluable advice for the projection of post Covid-19. The minds of men are running ahead highway mapping out the best route. Where does that leave us?
Will the economy recover fast enough? Will it collapse totally? Will people get their jobs back? Will salary be compatible? How do we cope with potential retrenchment? Will e-biz work for us? Do we change our professions? Will there be a vaccine fast enough to guarantee society stays clear of this virus? Is this the end or will there be more? Do we jump in and take the vaccine once released? We could go on listing many questions of deep concerns. There will be more theories published. Which one do we choose to believe? How do we get on to the narrow ancient path when we are hearing so many voices all around us chiding us, “Get on this highway.” “No, this one.” The confusion will increase as more voices are arising. Can we shut out those voices?
The fact is life will have to resume outside our homes after this season of staying home. Some of us don’t know what is really happening apart from the news reports. Some of us are grappling with certain worries and anxieties like the disciples of Jesus’ time. Yes we wait in this period. We expect to see miracles like promised and experienced by the disciples after his death and resurrection. Every two weeks for the last 5 weeks, we are subjected to a longer Movement Control Order (MCO). Whether we enjoy or detest it, it still reverts to – What’s next?
Simon Peter, always filled with vigour in life initiated to resume fishing. His fellow brothers were quick to respond and followed suit. In the waiting, we need to get back to work. To do the mundane tasks. Whether it is waiting for this MCO to be lifted, or waiting for further progression of life post MCO; we need to “go back to fishing”. No idleness. This could mean we continue our mundane physical tasks or our spiritual mission until we meet our breaththrough at the other end (John 21:4-6). The breakthrough is found through the ancient path, because Jesus is there. Not just there, but he IS that path.
Traveling on the ancient path may not be as eventful as many highways which flash out their promising future with attractive placards. The ancient path is narrow and difficult. Matthew 7:13-14 describes it, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy[a] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Many times it seems quiet and uneventful like Simon Peter faced. We cannot sit around and do nothing. We resume the mundane as we walk down the ancient path. Just make sure in doing that, we still need to expect Jesus to show up any time. Be expectant for extraordinary treasures in the ancient path even while we are “back to our fishing”. Do not be distracted nor turn dull in resuming the mundane.
“Father, let me be diligent in the mundane while waiting yet keeping my spirit open and expectant. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
© Pr Selina Khoo Lim, Gateway City Church, Penang. 25 April 2020.