Liberty Worship Collective: RunSample

In our busy modern lives, it can become too easy to unintentionally ignore God’s voice. We are constantly bombarded by distractions: family, work, school, relationships... and these are all good things! God’s Word illustrates how, without constant communication with the Lord, we can lose sight of our purpose. Inevitably, this results in our relationships and responsibilities greatly suffering.

In John 21, Peter is out fishing with friends. He had recently encountered his resurrected Savior with the other disciples, but soon after he returned to his previous routine and career before following Jesus. After a full night at sea, the group of fishermen failed to catch a single fish. Then, just as dawn broke, a figure appeared on the shore. The mysterious man told the disciples that if they would cast their net on the opposite side of the boat, they would have better luck catching fish. The disciples obeyed the stranger's request (what did they have to lose?), and the net quickly became so full of fish that they were unable to haul it to shore! The disciples soon caught on that this was no coincidence. Once they recognized this man to be Jesus, the Bible tells us that Peter actually "threw himself into the sea" and swam to shore, where Jesus was waiting for him with breakfast plans.

Everything changes when we invite the Lord's voice into our routines. There is nothing innately wrong with fishing, just as there is most certainly nothing wrong with enjoying our relationships or being diligent at our school or workplace. But without the strong presence of the Lord's voice, those same responsibilities and accomplishments fall into mediocrity. Without the Holy Spirit's loving guidance, relationships and tasks quickly lose their meaning. Just as Peter "threw himself into the sea", we must abandon all distractions and run with zeal to the Holy Spirit's guiding, loving voice.

-MaryCallie, Liberty University Worship Collective