For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6, NASB)
I love golf. The etiquette. The rules. The challenge. Golf offers the constant hope that the back nine will be better or that your swing key from the range today will translate into the secret of golf tomorrow. What about our hope in life? Do we believe God started a good work in us, and that he will complete it? In life, we are given new seasons and opportunities that could change the world and not just our scorecard.
I am grateful for this new year right before us. This is a season of hope. The real hope is not that we can handle all the unique challenges ahead or the confidence that the new vaccine will wipe away the deadly virus. Our faith and hope are in the assurance that God still knows exactly what we need. Our faith is in God alone. He remains a God of second chances. Is there anybody out there not grateful for that?
How about the apostle Peter? You know the one on whom Jesus would build his church. The rock. You may also remember the night of Jesus’ arrest.
In the 18th chapter of John, the slaves and officers were standing outside the building where they had taken Jesus. John explains that they were warming themselves over the charcoal fire because it was a cold night. Imagine the warmth. Imagine the smell. Don’t we relish standing around a warm fire? It conjures up warm memories of fellowship and deep thought.
Peter would remember the fragrance of this time together. He would recall the warmth and wipe away the charcoal scent of denial.But it would not be that way with Peter on this night. While standing around warming himself, someone asked Peter if he was with Jesus. Peter denied Jesus and cursed and swore he never knew him. Then the roster crowed. Just as Jesus had predicted. Peter remembered and fled the comfort of that fire. How do you think he felt at that moment? We can be assured that the warmth was lost in his misery of denial. Don’t you think that future charcoal fires might summon memories of failure for Peter? Peter’s failure would be directed back to himself, and the aroma of that night would be a bitter remembrance of failure.
Now fast forward to the 21st chapter of John, the last appearance of Jesus before his ascension. The disciples decided to go fishing. They needed some time alone to refresh. Out on the lake, they received unsolicited instruction from the shore directing them where to cast the nets. Then Peter looked to the land. It was Jesus himself. Peter threw himself into the sea and swam to shore to greet the friend he had denied. Jesus knew this was a teachable moment.
Charcoal fires are only mentioned twice in all of the Bible. This time Jesus had prepared his own fire to cook some of his fish and teach Peter about second chances. Peter would remember the fragrance of this time together. He would recall the warmth and wipe away the charcoal scent of denial. Peter would remember the instruction from Jesus, “Tend my sheep.” A new opportunity in this new season ahead. The sweet remembrance of this time would never burn out. Jesus knew this before he started the breakfast. Peter would learn a life lesson that would change the trajectory of his life.
We can learn such a lesson as well. God is always teaching us. I can smell a fresh opportunity now. Can you?
—
Randy Wolff
January 5, 2021
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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