A Breakfast Date With Jesus

This post is by Shaina Weisgerber.

I have been a planner enthusiast for as long as I can remember. When I was little I loved to have a calendar on my wall and fill it out with all the events and to-do’s. As I grew up and got into high school we got our very own day planner. I geeked out every year when we received them. I put in all my choir concerts, youth activities, babysitting jobs and more. I love planning. Reviewing doesn’t come as natural to me though. I find it hard to look back and review seasons of my life because I struggle with failure and finding fault in myself. I have been so hard on myself in years past that I struggle to learn and grow from things, but when I have truly sat down and given it my best, I always come away from it encouraged and refreshed. 

 There is a passage in John where Peter has come to shore from a huge catch. He’s back “at work” after Christ’s death and resurrection. He’s back on the water, having a rough time of it and as he comes to shore he is met by Jesus. Jesus has cooked breakfast and they all sit to share a meal. Jesus asks Peter if he loves him, a total of three times. Each time Peter answers yes and each time Jesus gives him a command. As I read that passage a few things come to mind for me. I see that Jesus took time to serve Peter and the other fishermen. He serves a meal and communes with them. Jesus, once they are fed, then goes deep with Peter. He asks a very vague question, but to Peter it is very specific. If you remember, Peter denied Christ, three times during the arrest of Jesus. As Jesus and Peter sit and visit I see that Jesus is leading Peter through a sort of review of the last season of life. He is forcing Peter to come to terms with how things have gone for him. He then gives Peter a charge, a command, a plan going forward; “feed my sheep”.

 You can find this passage in John 21. 

 In order for us to continue our walk with Christ and our mission of spreading the Gospel, we must review and preview. We must take time, with Christ, to take an honest look at our previous season and look with grace at the future season ahead. We need to schedule a breakfast date with Jesus.

 What are some things that need to be reviewed in your life? Mental, physical, social, or spiritual things? Perhaps your health journey, parenting, friendship, or work life need some reviewing. Taking an honest look and inventory is imperative to true growth. You see in the passage in John that Jesus did not disqualify Peter from service because he messed up. He did not bench him. He did not take him out of service. He took the time to sit and teach Peter. He reviewed things and then he recommissioned Peter for the work ahead. He used that moment as a pivotal point in Peter’s life and ministry. We know that Peter became one of the most influential disciples of Christ to ever walk the earth. Reviewing and previewing can change the world. 

 I encourage you to sit with the Lord and let Him love you as you take a deep look back and a fresh look ahead. It doesn’t have to be fancy or methodical, but let that moment of review and preview be a place of worship, an altar, for God’s glory and your good.

Blessings on your journey!

Shaina Weisgerber is a wife and mom. The W’s live in the panhandle of Texas. She works in education and enjoys leading worship, being with her family, and keeping a simple life. Through many changes over the years, she still doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up, but she loves encouraging others through her writing and sharing of her own experiences at Sycamore & Sparrow on Instagram, Facebook, and her blog.

 Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash