New day. New week. New beginning to an old life. Who amongst us couldn’t use some new right now?
Today, I offer you part five in my series “Breakfast on the Beach with Jesus.” For some of you, a series of this sort isn’t your cup of tea; I’ve sensed that, and I’m fine with your preference. I love writing with a “series” feel… it helps me better develop my thoughts on an entire section of scripture and, in this case, helps me prepare my heart for an upcoming speaking engagement. Thank you to those of you who are willing to walk alongside me in my ponderings. If you’ve missed the previous four parts of this series and wish to catch up, you can read them here. Shalom.
“Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.” (John 21:12-13)
The closer we move to Christ’s fire on the beach, the deeper the exchange between our hearts and his. We can linger on the waters of certain truth, throw a few nets per his directives, and even recognize and acknowledge him from afar without ever really having to go deeper with Jesus. Offshore is sometimes the safest place for us if we fear the change that might come to us by eating what Christ is serving up for breakfast. Rather than drawing closer to the fire to receive from his hands, we choose the warmth of the fire’s perimeter.
Why? Why in the world might we distance ourselves from Jesus when it’s clearly obvious that the Lover of our souls lingers in anticipation for us on the beach? I think for a few reasons.
First, the deepest intimacy we will ever share with our Savior comes to us when our hands touch his. We cannot partake of his breakfast without receiving it from his hands, and we cannot receive from his hands without our hands touching his corresponding scars. For many of us, that is too real… too vulnerable… too much of an inward look at personal sin and shame. As Peter must have felt in those early morning hours after denying Christ three times, we also feel the weightiness of our guilt when our flesh reaches out for a plate from his hands. We cannot abide the look in his eyes, because in his reflection we fear seeing the unworthiness of our “all” staring back at us.
A second reason many Christians stand at a distance from Jesus’ invitation to breakfast is that they aren’t comfortable with the morning menu. Sometimes what Jesus is serving isn’t in keeping with good digestion. Certainly, all food from the Father’s plate is for our good gain, but with that goodness sometimes comes a heaping dose of holy confrontation—questions our Jesus isn’t afraid to ask us to chew upon and then to swallow and questions that are in keeping with his regime for our continuing good health. If we were being honest (and really what profit is there in pretending other than to side-track the issue and stunt our growth altogether), there are days when we’d rather go hungry than to have to digest a hard teaching from our Father. Our good enough becomes breakfast, lunch, and dinner fare rather than his plate of our moving onto perfection.
A third reason (and perhaps the poorest excuse of them all) for us not coming to shore per Jesus’ invitation is that breakfast with Jesus means giving our nets a rest… means taking a break from our daily demands and schedules and, instead, choosing to spend one of life’s most precious commodities—time—at the feet of the Father. We are a busy people crammed and overflowing with the tyranny of the urgent. Where one need ends, another stands in line to take its place. Rarely is there time in our days for a leisurely stroll on the beach with Jesus. We reason his understanding in the matter; we think he “gets it,” and because of his grace, will wait for us. We tell him “Soon, Lord, just a few more minutes” when in reality we’re simply saying “This is more important to me than You.”
Can you even imagine saying that to Jesus? That your “this” is more important than what Christ is serving for breakfast? Many of us wouldn’t dare say it, but friends, we live it every day. Every time when we choose…
busy over best.
schedules over the sacred.
distance over deeper.
chaos over Christ.
And with our “No, thanks…” and “Not now…” we grieve our Savior’s heart, for we forget that he has been up all night, stoking the fires of a good feeding, waiting in anticipation for our arrival come morning light. When we choose to stay off shore—whether because of our fear of intimacy, a breakfast menu not to our liking, or because of our busy schedules—we miss out on the most intimate fellowship we will ever experience with the Divine on this side of eternity. Instead of feasting on the fare of his hands, we waste it. We leave it, and before day’s end, it has grown cold, has lost its flavor, and has become the wasted remnants of a grace that was meant to be tasted and lived and enjoyed on the front end of a day.
Thankfully, our Savior waits for us… at least a while longer. Even when we forsake a morning rendezvous on the beach with Jesus, he consigns himself to another night’s watch on our behalves, another night’s fire, another night’s roasting of fish, until another night has passed, and morning light brings new anticipation to his heart for our acceptance of his invitation to “Come and have breakfast.” His patience is great and his love far reaching. He, greater than us, understands our need for intimate times around a fire and for nourishment from his hands. That is why he is faithful to a shore’s lingering.
Can you see him there, stoking the fire and casting a far glance in your direction? He lingers still. He lingers for you. Come and have breakfast with your Jesus today. There is no excuse you can offer that is worth missing out on the offer of his heart and hands. It may smell like fish, but it feeds like grace.
Even so, Lord, fill my plate and fill it up again. As always, friends…
peace for the journey,
~elaine
Copyright © March 2010 – Elaine Olsen
A beautiful post, Elaine. I especially agreed with point two…ouch. 🙂
Great visual too…just what I need in my cold climate.
Have a blessed week!
Amen…I am going for breakfast at the beach with Jesus…I need to eat from his hand…I need grace to fill my plate…for every meal. Powerful words…that only can come from one who has already feasted at his breakfast table.
I am deeply blessed by this. Thank you, Elaine.
Gladwell
Powerful Message my friend!!! So insightful!! My you be blessed richly for posting this!!
I love to meet with Him, oh but to meet Him on the Beach, and eat from his powerful, nailscarred hands!!! Spine tingling!!
Just so you know, I am loving this series.
"Come and have breakfast." What a wonderful way to start the day. So, why do we/do I settle for "good enough" when the best is available for us/for me each day? I'm ashamed to say that I'm guilty of reason #3.
I read this paragraph several times:
"Can you see him there, stoking the fire and casting a far glance in your direction? He lingers still. He lingers for you. Come and have breakfast with your Jesus today. There is no excuse you can offer that is worth missing out on the offer of his heart and hands. It may smell like fish, but it feeds like grace."
Thanks for telling it like it is, friend…a message I truly needed to hear.
Love,
Beth
P.S. Oh my…my word verification is 'excuse'. Okay, Lord…I hear you!
Much truth in your message today, Elaine. I admit there are times that I'm afraid and also times I resist the menu. So thankful He welcomes me even when I approach with halting steps… What a loving and understanding Savior we have!
Have a great week, Elaine!
I stand with outstretched arms with plate in hand seeking to fill my plate with Jesus grace. I come to have breakfast with The Master of ALL. I praise YOU Father God, lover of my soul. In Jesus' name, amen.
This is wonderful Elaine! 2 and 3 really get me right in the heart … if only I was better at having an eternal perspective. I need to keep looking in the mirror of God's word…
"He lingers for you."
I can see that image. Quiet and steady.
Wonderful teaching, Elaine!
Inspires me to draw close unto His heart, linger and eat what He's serving me this day!
I gonna come back and read the previous parts.
You are a blessing!
Hugs and Sweet Blessings!
Jackie
OUCH! You got me with the "time" and "scheduling" part. I would never think of telling the Savior "no." Yet, I know I do it daily.
Beautiful words as always!
Yes, there are some definite 'ouches' in this beautiful post! The 'offshore' place, and 'resting our nets'… 2 that come a little too close!
Yet, like you said, who would ever say 'no' to Jesus? We do, I do, and this writing is a very probing reminder of just who He is, our provider of every need, as He waits to meet us…
I love this Elaine… and I'm so glad it will be a speaking topic for you. We all seem to struggle with similar areas in today's fast paced life. This points right back to the source for the BEST, not just the GOOD.
Love you and praying for all that's on 'your plate' these days!
Sonja
Do I say this everytime?
If I do, then please know that I mean it.
This is wonderful! Just for me.
"busy over best.
schedules over the sacred.
distance over deeper.
chaos over Christ."
I'm going to get up tomorrow morning and have a leisurely breakfast with my sweet Savior.
And guess what? Breakfast is my favorite meal.
Love you.
Sweet dreams.
Elaine, this post is one of your most prolific and inspiring! I am so sorry I have been out of touch with blogging. I will be sure to catch up with parts 1-4.
I love substance that hits me right between my eyes and finds its way into my heart and settles there.
To tell the truth, I am guilty of fasting His breakfast all too often. But, how right you are! Nothing is more important for our lives!
Thanks for your obedience and love for the Lord!
Much love,
Andrea
Elaine:
First, I have to say that I have loved this series you are doing and couldn't wait to come her for another meal!
You have challenged us deeply with the TRUTH of God's Word and the truth of our own lives and near misses of what we trade in for that very meal.
You wrote:
"Why? Why in the world might we distance ourselves from Jesus when it’s clearly obvious that the Lover of our souls lingers in anticipation for us on the beach?"
Why – indeed?
I don't want any more excuses in my life – I just want…
His Best…
My Sacred Time with Him…
deeper still in His Word…
JESUS ONLY in everything…
Thanks for serving up this portion of The Lord's TABLE! I'm feasting now!
Choosing JOY, Stephanie
When you put it that way….I do admit I've put Jesus on hold. I'm embarassed to admit I've felt the pull a few times, but finished my project first before running into the prayer fields with Him. I'm learning though. When he calls me now, it is "Yes, Sir." And the reward is great.
I bet you are a fantastic retreat speaker.
Love,
Mary
i love this passage of scripture, you did a great job elaborating it. love the pic, too!! 🙂
I'm off to check out your part 1-4 of this series…i have not been checking in on blogs lately, but i'm back and can't wait to see what you wrote!
Wow…this is powerful…and convicting…I will come back tomorrow to read the whole series….
what a beautiful picture you painted with your words here!!! I really could feel the call of my Savior to come and dine with Him first thing each morning. I can feel the presence of the Lord so strongly right now.
Elaine…I had to read part 5 again after reading the other 4…what a blessing your words have been…thank you for sharing your heart and allowing the Lord to use you….