By Maxie Heppell

Déjà vu (/ˌdeɪʒɑː ˈv(j)uː/ ( listen) DAY-zhah-VOO, –⁠VEW, French: [deʒa vy] ( listen); “already seen”) is a French loanword expressing the feeling that one has lived through the present situation before.

For children of the Lord, it is not just a feeling, but a certainty. The same situations have a way of repeating themselves, often years apart.

For children of the Lord, there is comfort knowing that every bit of pruning and the growth that follows, is generating a new being. Even if the problem/the challenge/the thorn in the flesh stayed the same, the one in the mirror is no longer.

We get to know Simon Peter as the downhearted fisherman who has nothing better to do with his time than to lend the prophet his boat as an impromptu megaphone.

But this prophet blesses them with a record catch and reveals Himself as the Son of God who would take the sin of the world upon Himself.

Three years later + ten days after Jesus’ crucifixion, we find Peter on the boat as we did before.

Downcast again, but now with the extra weight of his own betrayal that follows him like an inseparable shadow.

And once again this prophet blesses them with a record catch and reveals Himself as the resurrected Son of God who took the sin of the world upon Himself.

Peter’s too.

When Peter first decided to follow Jesus, there on the boat, it was perhaps largely out of curiosity with a touch of faith.

When Peter recognized Jesus this time, on that same boat, in those same circumstances, it was his faith that made him dive in like a Biblical Chad le Clos while the other disciples rowed after him.
Peter was changed.

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?”
They knew [without any doubt] that it was the Lord.
John 21:12 The Message

They knew.

More disappointing news from the doctor.
Another challenging situation at work.
Another nerve-racking family weekend.
Nothing changes.

But you change.
The same tests, sometimes just in different guises, come to measure how much.

More disappointing news from the doctor.
Another challenging situation at work.
Another nerve-racking family weekend.
Everything has changed.

Your inspiration for the week: Canvas and clay