I’m sitting here this early Saturday morning, wrestling with his question. I first took notice of it two mornings ago, even though it was initially asked 2000 years ago. It haunts me, intrigues me, saddens me, and quickens my heart for a response all in the same breath. A question spoken by Jesus to his well-meaning disciples, who after three years of intense discipleship beneath his sheltering wings, were still a bit confused regarding his identity.
“Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will enough for us.’ Jesus answered, ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?… “ {John 14:8}
“Don’t you know me, Elaine, even after I have been among you such a long time?”
His is a question that cuts me to the core. If you’ve been a reader of my pen for any length of time, then you know that I firmly believe God intends for his ancient questions (whether spoken by prophet, an angel, his own voice, or Jesus) to jump off the pages of scripture to become a question we entreat within our own spirits. In fact, I’ve written an entire manuscript answering some of those questions, but that’s another bend in my road I’ll re-address in a future bend in the road.
I’ve walked with Jesus my entire life, and still there are days when Jesus’ question to Philip is an appropriate response from his heart regarding my faith. Not always does my faith practice with the corresponding revelation of God’s truth within my heart. Not always do I know him, understand him, recognize him, and see him, even though I’ve shared my life with him from the beginning. And this contradiction doesn’t sit well with me. It leads me to some Galilean waters—to a boat and to some disciples whose “right side of the boat” kind of fishing opened their eyes to the truth of the One who was waiting for them by a breakfast fire.
Take a moment to re-read today’s focal scripture from John 21 as printed at the top of this post. Go ahead; I’ll wait.
“As soon as…”
When was the last time you held one? An “as soon as” moment of sacred revelation that spurred you into the waters of reckless abandon? When was the last time your eyes beheld the living Lord? When did you last look up from the “busy and bounty” of your nets to behold the Lover of your soul tending to the fires of your soul’s feast? When was the last time you jumped ship for Jesus?
It’s been awhile since my robes were wet with Peter’s anticipation. I spend a lot of time “doing what I do” {part one} and “answering what I’m asked” {part two}—good things and good gains, but “seeing whom I see”? Perhaps, not so much.
It’s easy to get caught up in our nets, friends. Kingdom fishing is a big business these days. God has issued his call for fishermen and women, even directing our nets to fertile waters ripe for the “catch.” We’re obedient to go, obedient to cast our energies and God-given abilities on the right side of the boat, believing that our Father will honor our obedience. But sometimes in our eagerness to serve, we lose sight of the shore. Sometimes the net’s haul grabs too much of our attention, masking our need for some down time with the One responsible for that haul. Sometimes our wrestling with our nets leaves us restless in our spirits because, even though God inhabits those nets, his unseen presence is masked by the seen and tangible holding of his provision.
It’s a delicate balance—seeing provision and Presence all in the same moment. It’s a quick leap to think that our “right side of the boat” bounty is all about us. But it isn’t; not really, at least not as much as we think. It’s all about Jesus and his willingness to place those 153 fish in the pathway of our nets. Certainly, we must be faithful to direct our nets to right and good waters, but in the end, without fish we have little to show for our hard laboring other than our weariness.
But when we hold provision in our hands—when we hold the living reminders of God’s grace within our grips and are careful to examine their authenticity and ownership—then we, like Peter, risk the wetness of the waters that bridge the chasm between our hunger and the breakfast waiting for us on the shore. When we make the connection between the seen “rewards” of our hands and the unseen treasure trove of God’s heart that placed them there, then we can say as John said in that moment, “It is the Lord!”
His Presence leads to provision, and his provision helps us to recognize his Presence.
Seeing whom we see… knowing whom we know. Two realizations wrapped around one revelation… one Truth—
Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ.
See him this weekend, friends. Know him as well. Let your faith in that seeing launch you into the waters of expectancy so that you might come to the shore of God’s fire and feast on the provision of God’s heart. He’s been up all night in anticipation of your arrival, and don’t be surprised if he’s got a few questions for you. Receive them as his invitation to sacred conversation, and be thankful for the gift of consecrated relationship with the living Lord. As always…
peace for the journey,
Copyright © February 2010 – Elaine Olsen
Thanks, Elaine, good insight and encouragement.
P.S. Your photo of swimmers somehow remind me of Orca Whales. LOL
"His Presence leads to provision, and his provision helps us to recognize his Presence."
Praising God for his presence and thanking him for protection and provision as we continue our journey to a closer relationship with him.
Love you, friend…
Um… Lord, I'm guilty! I come before You Father seeking direction. Show me, mold me, use me Father! In Jesus' name, amen.
I know I often break His heart with my doubting. Thank you for this gentle reminder to live out what I know in my heart to be true about my Savior.
I am guilty. I often miss Him because I am so caught up in the "doing". Perhaps that's why He has made my week the way He wanted it, to slow me down and have me in the word more seeking Him.
I LOVED this post…something I definitely needed to read.
Thanks friend.
Happy weekend!
Similar "contradictions" arise in me from time to time – not to condemn me (there IS no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus), but to correct my course.
Once again, your skill and honesty combine to communicate great encouragement to my soul. May it return to you, sister.
Amen. I am blessed and yes, challenged as I read this post. I pray that I will not lose sight of His Presence in the busyness of service…as I fish, I also want to sat down to fellowship with Him.
Blessings as always,
Gladwell
I will definately be leaning in to hear His question…I am so excited!
Thanks for lovely inspiration once again…
Kathy
Thanks for the encouragement.
His Presence leads to provision, and his provision helps us to recognize his Presence… one revelation… one Truth—
JESUS CHRIST
JESUS CHRIST
JESUS CHRIST…..
You said it all so beautifully… as you connected the dots of this Scripture for us!
Even in my failed attempts – I'm encouraged to TRUST HIM one more time!
Bless you, Stephanie
JESUS ONLY in 2010
Elaine,
If you remember, I was experiencing that delicate balance back there at Part 1 or 2 or both. I just wanted to go ashore to be with my Lord. You sent me a music video that gave me permission to go ashore, remember? It IS a delicate balance, and I would favor HIs presence over His provision any day. It's His presence that feeds my soul. The Lord is my Shepherd ~ I have everything I need!
Being a fisheman for HIs Glory is a sideline to being in His presence. Fishing is a waste of my time if I'm not remaining in HIs presence. You are right. His presence opens the door for provision. HIs open door is a sure thing. And only He can open doors that cannot be shut! His Presence opens my eyes to His open doors.
Our fleshy tents tend to go for the glory ~ further out there in the deep. If we aren't mindful to remain in His Presence ~ the enemy will draw us too far from the shore.
Thanks for sharing this post! It was a needed reminder and freeing at the same time – It is OK to go ashore and spend that one on one time sitting in His Presence. It is not only OK ~ it is required of us first and formost ~ before we ever get in the boat!
We should remember to check our motives; our attitudes; the health of our family & our own health before getting in the boat – sometimes – we just need to fess up and just get out of the boat!
God bless you and your family, dear one
Patrina <")>><
Losing sight of the shore — I don't want to do that. An excellent reminder, Elaine…
Elaine I could barely read past this question, "“Don’t you know me, (Joy), even after I have been among you such a long time?” No Lord, I don't. The more I know You, the more there is to know. Many days I feel almost a stranger. Your ways so unknown to me. Who can fathom the depths of Your love? But Lord, I want to know You. My deepest longing…my heart's cry is to know You more. Lord, fill me with that reckless abandon. Reignite passion that has been replaced with productivity, people, plans, passive observances, and personal permissiveness. Oh that the hem of my garment would always be 'wet'…
The shore has become too distant. Signing off in the desperate need of some sacred conversation,
Joy
Oh, His questions are piercing sometimes. He knows so much! But I have found that when I get honest in my answers, even – and especially – the piercing questions draw me closer to the Lover of my soul.
He is so good!
You are so right! His presence does lead us to provision and His provision leads us to His presence bringing us to the one revelation of Truth and that is Jesus Christ! He is the Truth and all we seek is found only in Him! This was beautiful Elaine!!
Ah, what beautiful words, Elaine. Yes, so true. Jesus is my all in all.
My life is full. A husband, two children, a full-time teaching job and a mild chronic illness that limits my energy. Soon after I was diagnosed with it, God put writing on my heart. I can't spend much time DOING anymore…after taking care of my family and teaching my students, there's little physical energy left for soup kitchens and nursing home visits. But there's time for pondering, learning and writing. So in the last few years, I've become a quiet Mary at the feet of Jesus, not because of spiritual superiority (snort-heehee) but because of physical necessity. Once at the feet of Jesus, quiet and resting, I found it a wonderful place to be.
Would I have ever found that place without my illness? Likely not. Even in pain, God is so good, so rich in His blessings.
Wow, that was an outpouring! Thank you for allowing me to "let it out". God bless you and your quiet, humble spirit today. 🙂
Oh, I saw Him girlfriend. I SAW Him this weekend, inDEED.
I'm reeling from it still (fishing pun intended.) ;o)
Love you so,
Melinda
What a wonderful post, Elaine. I haven't been by in a while. I'm going to have to back up and read pts 1 & 2. Your page looks great by the way.
Something that strikes me about the key verse is the importance of choosing friends whose word we can count on. It doesn't say Peter double-checked to make sure before he jumped out. He just trusted what he said and jumped in. Peter was such a character. He could be so trusting one minute and so full of doubts the next.
Well, thanks for a well-timed word. I pray all is well with you.
Melanie
Lord, i see…but help my lack of sight!
There was a sign above a large church near my childhood home that read: Christ is the Answer. For years I thought it rather odd, even silly. I often asked of no one in particular: So what's the question?
Now I know.
Whatever the question, He is the answer.
What a fabulous post!
Kathleen
This one makes my eyes blur with tears…
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