Surrender to His Will

Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We also will come with you." // John 21:3

I have always found it puzzling that even after Jesus rose from the dead and revealed Himself to the Apostles, they still returned to their old ways. They were at such a loss that they didn’t know what to do, so they returned to their fishing trade. This was better than staying locked in the Upper Room, but it says a lot about our human nature. When things don’t go as planned or we are stuck at a crossroads, we often return to what is familiar and comfortable for us.

In any of the Apostle’s cases, fishing was their comfort, and they appeared a little rusty until Jesus came on the scene. What do you turn to when life doesn’t appear to go your way or you are at a turning point in your life? Do you lean into the Lord or return to what is easy, comfortable, or habitual?

When life switches up on me, I become like a roly-poly bug or turtle and just hunker in my cozy, safe shell. I could seek healing securities like Scripture, silence, healthy rest to discern, Adoration, and the Sacraments. This would open me to cast the net wide and catch all the Lord is providing me in times of confusion and distress.

However, most of the time, I choose unhealthy comforts such as stress eating, excessive food, wine, and sleep, as well as an absence of exercise. I choose to do what comes easy to me versus opening myself to what God is stretching me to do through my challenges and roadblocks.

One comfort breeds stress and anxiety from trying to control what was not mine to control. The other comfort brings me peace by surrendering to the Lord’s will in my life. You would think that I would have learned after all this time, but I still struggle.

I can’t blame the Apostles for going fishing for a night. They had been through a lot watching Jesus, the Messiah, be tortured and crucified. We’ve all been known to take a down day after something traumatic and difficult happens. So if you are at a crossroad or facing uncertainty, visit a local church or adoration chapel and imagine yourself on the shoreline with the Resurrected Christ. This is a healthy comfort that will bring healing to your life.

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