Recently I was asked to name my favorite bible verse. As I considered, I realized the impossibility of choosing a single verse. I began to list verses that I have a deep connection to, and soon I found myself thumbing through my Bible. I write in my Bible, filling the margins with notes and connections and questions, underlining favorite phrases, circling words, and adding exclamation points, stars, and checkmarks.
To some it may look like a mess; to me, it is like taking a walk with an old friend. I remembered verses, passages, chapters, and entire books that were lifelines and celebrations through the seasons.
I began writing verses that could make the cut on sticky notes and soon had a stack. I put them around my bathroom mirror, creating a neon pink frame. I thought if I lived with some selected verses for a few days I would be able to narrow it down.
This has not been the case.
Rather than considering a favorite verse, someone suggested I select a life verse. This advice did not help, Each of the verses on the sticky note frame surrounding my bathroom mirror are needed to navigate life. Life is too vast to select a single verse.
Needing to complete the form, I knew I needed to quit overthinking and settle on a verse. I revised the question on the form, scratching out “your favorite bible verse,” and making it read: “Please share a bible verse that is meaningful to you.”
I settled on John 21:11 —
Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.
This is a little different than some of the other meaningful verses I scribbled on sticky notes:
Exodus 14:14—The Lord will fight for you; you only have to be still.
Proverbs 31:25—Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
Deuteronomy 6:5—You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Galatians 5:26—If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
John 21:11 happens after the crucifixion, after Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, after the disciples returned to what they knew before they became friends with Jesus. They were fishing, and it was not going well. I can imagine the darkness that weighed on their shoulders and in their hearts.
As they were coming in from a failed fishing trip, a man on the shore called out to them. He told them. to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. They did it and were not able to haul in their nets because of the quantity of the fish. It was then that they knew it was Jesus on the shore.
They rushed in and Jesus invited them to bring some of the fish for breakfast. There was a fire and fish and bread were laid out on it.
This is the scene happening around Peter when he returns to the nets to get more fish. I’m always struck by the number — 153 of them — because it means someone had to stop and count the fish. Peter is at his lowest. He betrayed his friend and mentor. He returned to the life he knew before…and he wasn’t very good at it. They are coming off the sea after a whole night of failure. I imagine it was unfulfilling.
Then suddenly, their nets are filled with 153 large fish. And I am reminded that even when things go awry, even when we behave in ways that are ugly, even when we fail, Jesus still shows up and loves us. He listens and sustains us. He showers us with favor. He opens his arms and calls us back to him.
We should count the fish.
It’s one of the secrets to living wholehearted. We must open our eyes and see the blessings. Then we should slow down long enough to count them. I imagine it took a little time to count 153 large fish. It’s good to sit still and count the fish.
