Don’t Miss Your LifeSample

A New Pursuit

God has clearly told us how we should live; he’s told us our purpose—to glorify him. He’s given us his Spirit as our guide. Jesus tells us he wants us to experience life to the full. It’s what God wants for us. But what do we do? We pursue things of this world more than we pursue God.

Why is this happening?

Why is this like this?

Why do I feel like I do?

Do you ever ask God questions like this? Do you ever wonder why you don’t feel satisfied? Why abundant life eludes you?

The disciples wrestled with the same questions we do. Think about Peter, the fisherman. One day he’s out living his everyday, ordinary life, fishing on the Sea of Galilee, when Jesus calls to him: “Follow me.” (Matthew 4:19 NIV).

Follow me.

It’s an invitation. It’s also the pursuit that leads to life to the full.

There are many good things to follow. The question is, what or whom do you follow most? It’s an important question, even for guys like Peter, the fisherman. When Jesus said follow me, that’s what Peter did. For three years, Peter followed Jesus everywhere. Peter was there when Jesus walked on water. Peter was there when Jesus brought a dead girl back to life. Peter was at the last supper, in the garden of Gethsemane; he witnessed the crucifixion. Peter followed Jesus. That is, until he didn’t.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but there’s a story told in the Gospel of John that occurs after Jesus’ death. It involves Peter and some other disciples. Here’s what it says:

"Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas...Nathanael...the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 'I’m going out to fish,' Simon Peter told them, and they said, 'We’ll go with you.' So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing." (John 21:1–3 NIV)

Does this story sound familiar to you? It’s the exact same scenario in which Peter first met Jesus. Here’s the difference: it’s three years later, and Jesus was recently crucified. Peter saw Jesus hang on the cross, and Peter watched Jesus die. Until Jesus shows back up…Peter thinks Jesus is dead.

There is one small nuance to the story though. Did you notice where Peter goes when he thinks Jesus is dead?

Yup—right back to his old life—to his old friends, his old job, to his old daily routine. Even though Jesus told the disciples he would go to the cross. Even though Jesus told them he would be crucified. Even though Jesus told everyone he would rise from the grave on the third day. Peter still went back to his old life. So, here’s the question:

Was Peter pursuing Jesus or something else?

Is there anything more important than pursuing God?