“The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.’ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify god. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’” John 21:17-19

Dear Jesus, How patiently you reinstated Peter to his life’s purpose of apostleship. You wouldn’t guilt shame or the attractions of fishing get him off mission. When I hear you talking to him, I think about my own life. I do love you and all you do for me. I want others to know you too. Help me live on mission too. Keep me from getting lost in my own goals or guilt so much that I miss opportunities to share your word with people. Help me to fulfill your mission for my life instead of creating my own mission and asking you to bless it. I ask all this to your glory so that the world may know you through their dealings with me. Amen.

Only one life to live and soon it will pass. Only one life to live and only what is done for Christ will last.