‘At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he…jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat’ (v.4-8 NLT).

Peter had to decide whether to leave his fish and go to Jesus or stay behind and protect what he had worked hard for. It’s a test we all face when our 'nets' are full, when we've completed our goal. Our challenge is: ‘Do I stay and guard my blessings or go overboard for God and commit myself to Him?’ Paul briefly refers to his successful career: ‘You know my pedigree…from the elite tribe of Benjamin…defender of…my religion…meticulous observer of…God’s law’ (Philippians 3:4-6 MSG). But listen to him now: ‘Things I once thought were so important are gone…I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ’ (v.7-8 MSG). Paul realised his true identity didn't lie in his accomplishments, but in his relationship with Jesus.

That night by the sea of Galilee, Peter might have felt like he was giving up everything he was good at, but when he reached the shore, he found Jesus cooking fish to satisfy his physical hunger, and ready with a new assignment for him that would satisfy his spiritual hunger. Whatever we need, God has it. Whatever we give up, He'll repay many times over.

What Now?

Think of the things you’re proud of achieving (like passing an exam, learning something new, making a phone call you’ve been putting off, and so on). Now imagine all those achievements were stripped away – would your identity still be firm, or would you feel empty? Ask God to help you root your identity firmly in Him, so it can never be shaken.