What's Next? Moving Forward After Spiritual Highs and Lows

What's Next? Moving Forward After Spiritual Highs and Lows

Life's journey with God is filled with peaks and valleys, moments of exhilarating spiritual highs and challenging lows. But what happens after these intense experiences? How do we navigate the "what's next" when we find ourselves in unfamiliar territory, unsure of our next steps?

The story of Peter and the disciples after Jesus' resurrection provides a powerful illustration of this very human struggle. Having witnessed the miraculous – their teacher and friend risen from the dead – they found themselves at a crossroads. In this moment of uncertainty, they retreated to the familiar: fishing on the Sea of Galilee.

It's a natural human tendency to revert to what's comfortable when we're unsure or afraid. We see this pattern throughout scripture:

- Lot's wife longing for Sodom and Gomorrah
- The Israelites craving the "comforts" of Egypt in the wilderness
- The Galatians tempted to return to legalism after tasting grace

Even after profound spiritual experiences, we can find ourselves slipping back into old habits, thought patterns, or comfortable routines. But God doesn't leave us there.

Jesus met the disciples on the shore, recreating familiar scenes from their shared history. He orchestrated another miraculous catch of fish, echoing their first calling. He prepared a charcoal fire, reminiscent of Peter's moment of denial. Through these familiar elements, Jesus was doing something new – healing, restoring, and preparing them for what was next.

This encounter teaches us several crucial lessons:

1. Inner Healing: Jesus addressed Peter's shame and guilt head-on. He gave Peter the opportunity to affirm his love three times, matching his three denials. Before we can move forward, we often need to deal with the pain and failures of our past. Jesus wants to heal those areas, not so we can wallow in them, but so we can be free to embrace our future.

2. Future Assignment: Jesus reaffirmed Peter's calling, transforming his identity from a mere title (Peter, the Rock) into an active mission: "Feed my sheep." Our encounters with God should propel us into purposeful action and service.

3. Preparation: Jesus prepared Peter for the challenges ahead, even alluding to his eventual martyrdom. While we may not always know the specifics of our future, God equips us for what lies ahead through our present experiences and His Word.

The key to moving forward? Jesus' simple command: "Follow me."

It's easy to get caught up in trying to figure out all the details of our spiritual journey. We want to know exactly how to reach our goals, fulfill our calling, or navigate difficult seasons. But the essence of the Christian life is found in those two words – follow me.

Following Jesus means:

- Staying close enough to be covered in the dust of the Rabbi (as the ancient saying goes)
- Pressing on towards the goal, forgetting what lies behind (Philippians 3:13-14)
- Knowing Christ in both the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:10)

As we follow Jesus, He leads us through a process of inner healing, gives us purpose and assignment, and prepares us for the future He has planned.

Practical Steps for Moving Forward:

1. Address Your Past: Are there areas of shame, guilt, or failure that you need to bring before Jesus? Allow Him to speak healing and restoration into those places.

2. Embrace Your Calling: What has God been speaking to you about your purpose and mission? Take steps to actively live out that calling, even if they seem small at first.

3. Stay Humble: Remember Peter's overconfidence before his denial. Remain dependent on God's grace, knowing that spiritual growth is a lifelong process.

4. Be Attentive: God often speaks to us through familiar patterns or experiences. Pay attention to how He might be trying to get your attention or confirm His leading.

5. Prioritize Fellowship: The disciples were together when Jesus appeared. Don't isolate yourself, especially after mountaintop experiences or in valleys. We need community to help us discern God's voice and stay encouraged.

6. Keep Moving: Don't let past failures or even past successes keep you stagnant. The Christian life is one of continual growth and forward motion.

7. Trust the Process: God knows the end from the beginning. He is working all things together for your good and His glory, even when the path seems unclear.

Remember, what's next isn't about achieving a certain status or having everything figured out. It's about drawing closer to Jesus, allowing Him to heal and transform us, and following wherever He leads.

The disciples' encounter with Jesus on the shore wasn't the end of their story – it was a new beginning. In the same way, every experience with God, whether a spiritual high or a challenging low, is an opportunity for growth and a launching pad into the next chapter of our journey with Him.

So, as you stand on the shore of your own "what's next" moment, hear the gentle invitation of Jesus: "Come, have breakfast with me." In His presence, you'll find the strength, healing, and direction you need for the road ahead. The nets of your past can be left behind as you swim with all your might towards the One who is already waiting for you, ready to reveal the beautiful next steps of your journey together.