Discerning God’s Will and Knowing When It Is Time to Shift

John 21:3–6

3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.”
6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.

7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

As I was reading in John 21 today, I saw something that gives insight into discerning times and seasons within God’s will. Please understand that this is not exhaustive, nor should it be considered an A + B = C formula. Nevertheless, it does offer indicators of what may reveal God’s will for us.

First of all, Peter and the other disciples had been fishing all night and yet had caught no fish. They had been persistent in their pursuit of catching fish, but with no success. In this story, we see that Jesus shows up “on the shore” and at “daybreak.” In this, we see that the night season was ending and day was starting. So there were signs of a new season, of a new time. It is in these moments that we need to listen for God’s voice (from the sidelines or the shore). His voice may not come from those closest to us. It may not come from those who are “in the boat” with us. Sometimes, we can gain godly perspective and hear godly wisdom from the sidelines.

God may use people who are not in the boat with us but have a fresh, outside perspective of our situation.

The next thing to notice is that Jesus gave them instructions. He said, “Throw your net on the other side.”

Their willingness to obey the voice of the Lord activated a new season, a new result, a new success.

They were to fish in another place. On this occasion, He didn’t say, “Burn the boat. Give up fishing.” He said, fish somewhere else.

Another important point is the fact that Jesus was already preparing their breakfast. While they were empty-handed, seeing no results from their efforts, He was already preparing their next meal. God was at work even when their work wasn’t working.

A couple of final principles. We should not give up too easily on what God has called us to do. But there are times when a season shifts and an assignment changes. In those moments, we need to pay attention and recognize that it is time to “fish somewhere else.” Sometimes this understanding will be made clear from someone who is not “in your boat” and can give you perspective that you can’t see because you are so close to the situation.

Lastly, it says they knew His voice. When it comes down to it, you will KNOW the voice of the Lord. You will know, because of your relationship with Him, that it is God speaking to you, and you will know God’s will.

Prayer:
Father God, teach us to know Your voice and to know Your will. Help my children develop a relationship with You that makes it easier for them to recognize Your voice. Protect them from the lies and deceptions of the enemy. As You taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” Give them success in their efforts and help them know when it is time to “fish somewhere else.”