“Come, Let’s Have Breakfast”
One of the things I love most about February is that it’s time to pull out all of the seed starting bins. Over the years I’ve accumulated many trays, dome lids and other supplies for getting the new gardening season going. Of course taking seed inventory is usually the first thing on the list followed by a potting soil and pellet purchase. Then my planting table in the lower level of our home is organized and set up for the seed sowing that will take place over the 6-8 weeks between February and April.
Last year there was a record breaking 400 seedlings growing in front of our large A-frame windows on the main floor of our home! Several of the squash plants got so big that they ended up on the floor and thankfully our three cats stayed away from them but I won’t say I wasn’t a tad worried. The joy of watching seedlings grow and form new leaves is truly incredible and I still have not lost my passion for the process. It’s funny to say but I love the waiting and wonderment of this time of new growth almost more than the harvest itself!
Isn’t it strange though, that in my own life, I don’t often enjoy the process of my own growth? As I wrestle through the dirt I find myself in so often, it’s hard sometimes to accept that my roots will only grow deeper as I look up at the sun. That I will only grow as I allow the provided water (which threatens to weigh me down at times) to become something that nourishes and gives me life as I reach out to the light that draws me upwards. It’s easy to forget that I find the best care when my hands lay open and receptive to that warmth for the soul that presses me gently toward becoming a plant that produces beautiful fruit.
It’s an illustration that is used so consistently in regards to our Christian walk and isn’t it incredible that God would use such a life giving task, that of caring for and observing the growth of new plants, as the very best way to understand his love and care for his people? Gardening has been one of the most crucial illustrations to me of God’s gentle tending to my soul. It provides such a clear picture of the deeper, sanctifying work that is both painful and glorious. Maybe it’s that for you too?
I recently spent some time reading in John 21. After Jesus had given his life over to death and rose again, He continued for a short time to do miracles and disciple those who walked with him. Yet in the midst of these wonders of his love, He also displayed the most simplest acts of kindness to show just how important the gift of quality time was to him.
Let’s start at verse 4:
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore,
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus
5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.
6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.
13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.
Friends, this was after he was tortured, died and rose again. This was after he showed them all the scars on his hands, his feet and his side. This was after he had lived for more than 30 years as a human and was almost ready to go home, to ascend, to be with the Father! He had proved He was the Messiah. He had fulfilled all of the prophecies. He didn’t have to stay…
Yet, he continued to prove his resurrection to them, to show them miracle after miracle. On this particular day he blessed them with an incredible number of fish, prepared a fire, bread and fish for their nourishment and then invited them to come and join him for breakfast.
Wow.
Jesus loved being with his disciples.
He served them.
He made time for them.
He loved them.
And he loves you and I the same.
It makes me think of that old hymn,
”Oh, How He Loves You And Me,
Oh, How He Loves You And Me.
He Gave His Life, What More Could He Give;
Oh, How He Loves You,
Oh, How He Loves Me,
Oh, How He Loves You And Me.”
I can’t help but feel an urging in my spirit ( thank you Holy Spirit! ) to ask, how much time do I give Him? How often is he waiting for me to show my love by just being with him? Savouring his Word, sitting in the quiet, listening for His still small voice that is waiting patiently for me to quiet all of the other noise first?
We are such fickle ones aren’t we? Often so unaware of how much we strive and long for things so temporal and yet the One we have been given to grow and sustain us through this life is often given the very worst of what we have to offer. How does that even make sense? It’s just doesn’t.
God doesn’t need us in order to be complete in His holiness. We, however, do need Him to be made whole. Incredibly, our holy God doesn’t keep us at arm’s length as he has every right to. He doesn’t demand us to grovel at His righteous feet as he so deserves, no, he invites us into His presence.
He kindly says, “Come, have breakfast with me.”
I think we would be wise to ask the question: How often do I miss the invitation?
What a sweet thing to sit with Jesus over breakfast. To love and be loved by Him.
~Lynnelle