Starting Over Again – For all of us From the Edges-

Starting Over Again –
Pastor Calvin Cook –
May 13, 2025
Scripture focus: John 21:3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

One of my core scriptures is Isaiah 43:17-19, you know this, because I speak of it often. The words of the Prophet Isaiah remind us and me especially of the new thing that springs forth from God that we need to embrace each and every day. But this morning, I’m humbled to return to a few important things that have been sacrificed for life.

This morning upon rising at 4AM and spending quite a bit of time in prayer, especially in prayers of confession and listening. I was reminded that the last couple of weeks, because of some things that needed more attention, including focusing on church, personal interest, and many other things that pop up in any day to day, that I had limited my time with God every morning. Please don’t judge, because whether we admit it or want to, we all do it. It doesn’t even need to be keeping up with daily agendas. It can be mental distractions, that distract us from being fully close to God.

So, this morning I’m back in the place that I need to be. In my morning sanctuary place, praise and worship music playing with my cup AC Vinegar, Honey, Ginger, Lemon, and Cinnamon – the bible opened to discover new truths that God’s word is speaking into my heart, namely this morning from Acts 28 and Isaiah 6, and praying just to surrender, giving it all up, before another busy day starts. I feel good, like I’m back to the place I need to be.

While all of this is happening – I’m drawn to the story of Peter and some of the other disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, when once again Jesus shows up. This was after Peter and his fishing buddies decided to return to what I assume was a return to what they knew best, fishing.

The brief glimpse I share this morning from John 21:3 says that theses skilled fishermen, fished all night and caught nothing. That was until we see in later verses that Jesus showed up, gave them new direction and they were blessed abundantly by a catch that could not be contained in the net or drawn into the boat. WOW! When Jesus shows up and we receive what He is saying and live out what we are being called to do, we will experience abundance, the true kind of abundance we need, that which comes from God.

However, I am also keenly aware that when discouragement, loss, situations, either in our relationships, daily life, financial and physical concerns happen, sometimes what we return to is not good. It leads us into further despair, sinfulness, and separation from the one who is always there and always will be.

I believe Isaiah’s call from Isaiah 43 “to not return to the former things”, is a call back to the holiness of God, to that which has brought us to the place of righteousness. Not to look at moments of fishing all night and catching nothing but remaining faithful and being reminded of what is important. Praying for a discerning spirit for all of us that we realize that which is important in our life and in our relationship with God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

So, for this moment, I’m comfortable, secure, blessed, in being loved and because of Jesus to be able to start over on this new day. A day that I have been given to be bold, courageous and ready to share Jesus with someone that to all living and breathing people is given the opportunity to start over.

Please know I’ll be praying for you with you and would ask that you would do the same.