In John 21:3 when Peter says, “I’m going fishing,” he was being sifted at that very moment.
Would he follow Jesus any further? Would he still believe? Would he deny the One he said he’d go to prison for? Would he forsake this fishing for men and go back to fishing for fish?
He’s at a huge turning point. A point most of us will never experience without some kind of drastic life changing, faith shaking life event.
When you’re sifted you’ll need more than a bumper sticker that says, God Is Good. You’ll need your heart stamped with the grit and determination we see in Jesus as he heads to the whipping post, soon to be crucified. You’ll need dogged determination that we see in Paul when he’s locked up and left to die.
Johnny Cash said, "Being a Christian isn't for sissies, It takes a real man to live for God - a lot more man than to live for the devil, you know? If you really want to live right these days, you gotta be tough.” I’m not suggesting Mr. Cash was the epitome of a Christian, but he sure hit the nail on the head with those words.
Following Jesus in the tough times isn’t for the faint of heart. If you don’t deeply believe God when you are being sifted, you’ll quit. And if you don’t quit, you’ll think about it. Just ask Peter.
