"Isn’t it crazy how certain smells can take you back?"

A thought by Shaun Nepstad from his book, Don't Quit in the Dip (p. 61). Worthy. Kindle Edition.  (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.)

Here is the background to this thought. This is after Jesus had been crucified and then resurrected and the Apostles hadn't known what to do so they went fishing, back to what they used to do.

Shaun says, "On the beach, Jesus was cooking fish for breakfast over a fire/ You’ve heard of the Last Supper? I once heard Joseph Stowell call it the Last Breakfast. It wasn’t just your normal fire, though. If you look at the Greek language here, in which the New Testament is written, this fire was actually a charcoal fire. Why that detail? Well, there’s only one other place in the entire Bible where there was a charcoal fire—the fire where Peter denied Christ. Why would Jesus do this? Think about it: Isn’t it crazy how certain smells can take you back? You smell someone’s perfume that reminds you of your mom. You smell a certain food, which takes you back to your childhood eating fresh-baked cookies at your grandma’s counter."

He goes on, "Can you imagine what the smell of a charcoal fire triggered for Peter? It probably reminded him of when he denied Jesus. When Peter thought he was alone in the shadows of his failure, Jesus was letting him know, 'I was still with you. I saw you, and I still want you.' Jesus was re-creating a moment Peter would never forget, one that would have probably haunted him forever. Jesus now turned it into an illustration of reconciliation.

"In addition to the fire, Jesus had just re-created the moment of Peter’s calling, when he and his fishing buddies had caught so many fish just before they left their nets behind to follow Jesus. With a heart of complete restoration, Jesus did both of these significant acts to let Peter know, 'I know you’ve failed me, but I still love you. I still have a calling for you. I’m still your provider. I’m still your source. I can still use you.' Jesus called him out of the dip and back to a life of following Him. A life fulfilling God’s purpose.

"Is Peter’s story also your story? Do you know what it’s like to experience a double dip? To fall the second time? Or maybe the third time? Or the hundredth time? Like Peter, I’m sure you have felt like quitting. Like bailing on Jesus. Abandoning the call of God or the dream inside your heart because of a failure. But your failure does not have to be your final destination. Your failure doesn’t have to be your finale. It doesn’t have to be your checkmate."

He continues, "Ask Jesus to forgive you for whatever failure is haunting you, and turn back to follow Him. Jesus could’ve easily written Peter off, but instead He went to great lengths to convince Peter of his value. Jesus is calling you now. Maybe for the first time, or maybe He’s calling you back again. Allow Jesus to take you back and remind you He was there when you failed. Not for shame. Shame isn’t from God. But He wants you to deal with the failure. To confess it in the dip so you can be completely restored and reminded of your calling.

"For many of us, our starting point with Jesus was that sweet moment when He entered our lives and transformed us. When we were so overwhelmed with His love that we promised to follow Him for the rest of our lives. But for many of us, something happened, and we found ourselves distant from Him. Jesus used Peter as an example to let you know no matter how far you’ve fallen in the dip, He can reach down and grab you out with His love and grace. Whether it’s the first, second, or millionth dip, Jesus still loves you and doesn’t want sin and wrong choices to keep you away from Him anymore."

Paul says, "I was speaking one time and said to the crowd, 'How many of you are thankful that God gave you a second chance?' Everyone applauded with gratitude to God. Then I said, 'How many thank God for a third chance?' Once again, they all clapped in agreement. Then I asked, 'How many of you are grateful for a fourth chance? And a hundredth chance? And a MILLIONTH CHANCE?' I was trying to get the crowd to realize God’s great grace that He’s extended to us. It was a pretty good service. Afterward, this seventeen-year-old girl came and said, 'I really liked your sermon, but I disagreed with one part.' That’s not what you look forward to hearing right after you speak. Trying to fight rolling my eyes, I decided to indulge her as I asked, 'Oh really, which part?' She said, 'The part about God giving us a second chance. And a hundredth chance, and a millionth chance.' I asked, 'What’s wrong with that?' And she said, 'Whenever God forgives, it’s always the second chance because He forgot the last one!'

He then said, "Oh man! That is so good. I looked at her and said, 'You’re speaking next week.' I’m so thankful that whenever God forgives, it’s always the second chance because He forgot the last one. God told us that He will take our sin and cast it into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19). If God forgives and gave us that picture of throwing our sin into the depths of the sea, then stop going fishing! God goes on to say that He remembers our sin no more, once it’s forgiven (Hebrews 8:12). So rest in His grace and serve Him now with a clear conscience."

Yes, let's do it, okay?

Yes, yes!