Come and have breakfast… (John 21:12) 231008
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. (John 21:12)
Every morning, I have to pack breakfast for my wife to bring to office to eat. It is a mad rush almost every morning, especially after we have our baby Alethea. My wife will have to feed her before she can start preparing herself for work. And that usually leave her with very limit time. As a husband and a father, and as I am used to waking up earlier; I do my little part by helping her to prepare for work such as ironing her clothes, packing breakfast and getting other things ready for her. But it sets me thinking, that when we are rushing here and there, are we missing out anything?
The reason I wake up early in the morning is a habit, or rather it is a spiritual discipline to spend time with God which I have cultivated to ensure I keep myself spiritually fit. I know myself well, that I have great tendency and propensity to slack and be lazy. I have to ruthlessly discipline myself to wake up early to have breakfast with God. And this verse (John 21:12) has inspired me to press on for many years, especially for the past three years in Seminary.
Yesterday, during the pastoral team meeting, we have a short devotion led by Rev Sunil about how the Word of God should remain as a pillar of a growing church. We were asked to share our journey as in what had caused us to be hungered and thirst for the Word. Most of the pastors are very spiritual people; they either have a hunger to know the God in the Bible or an encounter that propelled them to desire to read the Word and know the Author. But as for me, I never really have the hunger or deep desire to read the Word. And with all honesty, I will be happy if reading the Word of God is not required as part of spiritual discipline; or the Word of God is not the mean of God’s authority on earth for this day. For me, Bible is the Word of God, and as a disciple of Christ, I cannot live without knowing His Word. The logic is simple, I have to read and know His Word if I desire to grow in Him.
My journey began way back when I was in my 2nd year of undergraduate school. I just came back to the Lord after more than 2 years of running away from the church. I was challenged by a senior student to be discipline in my daily devotion and he gave me one year worth of passages to do my devotion. At that time, I really wanted to grow, so I took up the challenge and almost daily without fail, I spent almost an hour in solitude praying and reading those passages given to me. It was a real discipline and that one whole year of habit formation laid the foundation for my future spiritual life. But to be frank, I still have no passion about the Word, and the main reason is that: I don’t really understand the Bible, it is in English!
Surely, I grew as a Christian, and my English improved over these years. And after I went through Seminary training, I began to understand the Bible more. But whatever it is, whether I really understand or don’t understand fully about the Word, I always find that the Word of God is like a double edged sword (Heb.4:12), it speaks to me and it is very practical. Somehow, the Word of God can come alive to me and very applicable to my situation in life.
Do I have a desire to read the Word of God? Not really. But does it change that reality and the fact that the Word of God is active and living (Heb. 4:12) and have authority and inspired (2 Tim. 3:16)? No! The nature of God’s Word never changes or depends on our mood, preference or spiritual maturity. Heaven and earth will pass away, but the Word of God abides forever (1 Pet. 1:25).
Take time to read the Word of God. Take time to response to Jesus invitation: “Come and have breakfast.” Let His Word give you the nourishment you need for the day. Let His Word penetrates your spirit and your soul as you live Him out in wherever you are.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It sets our system to deal with our daily demands. I am not saying you have to spend one hour in devotion; I think you are smarter than me and are able to understand the Bible better and faster than I; but at least have a proper breakfast which is nutritious to your soul. The Lord knows what you need for breakfast, come and have breakfast with Him.
I am having my breakfast with my Lord now, how about you? Did you skip your breakfast? Or did you look for some fast food such as inspirational articles or motivational sermons CDs as your breakfast? Take some time to make your own breakfast with the Lord; He knows your diet more than you know yours, and He knows what you need more than you know of yourself.
Come and have breakfast. It’s my treat.
HHS…
Abel…
