Guilt. I am convinced that one of the most powerful weapons the enemy uses against us is guilt. How many of us conform to feelings of "I should" or "I shouldn't," or perhaps "I'm not good enough"?
Question: Is this why we serve the persecuted - out of guilt? Do we minister or pray, only because we "should"?
Look at the gem nestled in the account of John 21:
The disciples, including a guilt-ridden Peter, had gone back to their old jobs, because their hopes and dreams of who Jesus was and would be, seemed crushed by His crucifixion. They had slipped back into living their routine, pre-Christ lives.
Having fished unsuccessfully all day, they were willing to listen when some guy on the beach called out, instructing them to throw their nets to the other side. When they did, it says that the group of them strained to haul in the quantity of fish.
Peter, so excited to discover that the guy on the beach was Jesus, jumped overboard, swimming to shore to be with Him.
Jesus invites the rest of the disciples to have breakfast with Him when they arrive later. Wanting to help with this, Peter went "and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish" (vs. 11 ESV).
After spending just a little time in the presence of the Risen Christ, Peter is empowered to pull that net, by himself, to shore.
It is through spending time in Jesus' presence that we are able to serve, forgive, minister, and move mountains. Time with Him pushes the darkness - including the guilt and condemnation - away. It fills us with more of His Spirit, and a greater love for Him and His church.
I pray that you never feel 'guilted' into partnering with The Voice of the Martyrs. Our heart is to disciple, mentor, and support the walk of every believer, encouraging each one to spend breakfast with "The Guy on the beach."
