Encouragement

From Lost Purpose to Restored Vision

by Ezekiel Olukolajo
04/21/25
Not For Sale
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

From Lost Purpose to Restored Vision
Lessons from Peter and the Disciples at the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1–17)

Introduction
Life’s journey is rarely a straight line. Even for those with a clear divine mandate and calling, setbacks, failures, disappointments and challenges of life can cloud the vision once received. The human heart is susceptible to discouragement, especially when expectations are shattered and hope is deferred. Yet, the story of Peter and the other disciples after the crucifixion of Jesus reveals to us that divine purpose, once received, may be lost or buried by life’s situations and circumstances for a time, but can be restored in the presence of the risen Christ. The story of Peter and the disciples is indeed one that brings rays of hope to everyone who has lost their God-given visions and divine callings. The powerful narrative in John 21:1–17 reveals a timeless truth: when we drift from our God-given purpose, Jesus comes looking for us - not to condemn, but to restore. Under the auspices of God’s grace, buried purpose can be restored and lost visions can be rekindled.    

The Drift from Purpose
About three and a half years earlier, Peter, James and John (the sons of Zebedee) had a divine encounter with Jesus, which changed the course of their lives. From ordinary fishermen with just little dreams of fishing for their daily consumptions and needs, they found a higher purpose and divine calling when the Lord told them “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). This was no ordinary invitation; it was a divine call to abandon the mundane for the eternal, to shift from catching fish to transforming lives. To this divine call, they responded with great passion and excitements, leaving their boats, nets, and familiarity behind to pursue their God-given purpose.

But after the crucifixion of Jesus, everything changed! Peter and the other disciples drifted completely, they slipped back into their old lives, totally abandoning their God-given purpose and divine vision they had once embraced with passion and excitements. Despite Jesus’ resurrection being announced and even witnessed by some, the trauma of the cross lingered. Disillusioned, uncertain, and likely overwhelmed with guilt, especially Peter, who had denied Jesus three times—the disciples found themselves at a crossroads. Instead of waiting in expectation, they returned to what they knew best: fishing. “Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We are going with you also.’” (John 21:3)

This wasn’t just a leisure trip. It was symbolic. They were returning to their old identities, their former trades, perhaps believing they had forfeited their calling. The bold vision of becoming "fishers of men" now felt distant, buried beneath regret.

The Empty Nets of Human Effort
Drifting from the path of God’s purpose is dangerous, it is like rowing against the tide. When Peter and his colleagues abandoned their divine purpose and went back to fishing, they toiled all night and caught nothing. They had nothing to show for their many hours of labor and efforts. How fitting. Their empty nets mirrored the emptiness in their hearts - no direction, no sense of mission. When purpose is lost, our efforts, though sincere, often yield little or no results. From the moment we drift from the path of our God-given purpose and divine calling to something else, our labor, no matter how much, become fruitless, our efforts fail to attract God’s blessings.

But then, at the break of dawn, a figure appeared on the shore. They didn’t recognize Him immediately, but He asked a simple question: “Children, have you any food?” This question pierced deeper than just their fishing results - it echoed the deeper hunger of their souls. They had nothing to show for their labor, not just that night, but since they had drifted from their calling. When the Lord addressed Peter and the other disciples as “children”, He was silently revealing their true state and picture. Their abandonment of their God-given purpose to return to the old paths of pursuit of mundane things of the world, truly shows that they were children, who could dump their priceless calling and divine mandate for “the bread that perishes”.

The Resurrected Christ Restores Vision
The encounter of Peter and the other disciples with Jesus Christ at the Sea of Tiberias was divinely planned to bring about the much-needed restoration of their buried purpose and lost vision. With every conversation and instruction, Jesus had only one goal – which was to restore the buried purpose of Peter and the disciples and redirect them to the path of pursuit of their God-given vision.

Jesus instructed them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” (John 21:6). Their obedience led to a miraculous catch, a clear sign. John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was the first to recognize the truth: “It is the Lord!” And Peter, impulsive and desperate, leaped into the sea to meet Jesus.

On the shore, Jesus had already prepared breakfast—bread and fish laid on hot coals. The imagery is powerful. The same kind of fire that warmed Peter when he denied Jesus is now used by Christ to offer fellowship and restoration.

Need for Deep Reflection and Honest Re-examination
But the most significant moment comes in the conversation between Jesus and Peter: “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” Three times Jesus asked. Three times Peter answered. Each question peeled away a layer of guilt, and each answer brought healing. Peter was sad and unsettled when Jesus asked him this same question for three times consecutively. He (Peter) apparently was convicted in his own heart, when he remembered his past actions and how he denied the Lord and abandoned the great commission for the pursuit of mundane things. He knew that this was not a demonstration of love. Peter actually loved the Lord, but he was too weak to withstand the overwhelming situations and pressures that came with the arrest and crucifixion of his Master – Jesus. Peter gave it all to the Lord again, when he said “you know all things…” including my weakness and frailty as a man, how I thought I could stand, counting on my own strength.

However, the Lord’s purpose was not to bring Peter’s failure into remembrance, but to reset his destiny and put him and other disciples back on the path of divine purpose and calling.  For every denial, a recommissioning: “Feed My lambs... Tend My sheep... Feed My sheep.” This was not a rebuke. It was a resurrection of purpose. Jesus was restoring Peter, not just emotionally, but missionally. The vision to become a fisher of men was not only still valid—it was now deepened by grace and tempered by humility.

Lessons for Today
Vision Can Be Lost, Even After a Divine Encounter
Many of us have had powerful moments with God- prophetic words, deep convictions, spiritual experiences - but in the face of pain or failure, we may drift back into old habits and comfort zones. Like Peter, we may believe we’ve disqualified ourselves. But God’s calling is not revoked because of failure; it is often refined through it.

Jesus Seeks Us in Our Drift
Jesus didn’t wait for Peter and the disciples to come crawling back in shame. He went to where they were, waited on the shore, and called to them gently. This is the heart of God: patient, kind, and purposeful in restoration.

Restoration Requires Relationship, Not Just Repentance
Jesus didn’t just forgive Peter - He shared a meal with him. He asked questions that led to reflection and reaffirmation of love. True restoration involves intimacy. It’s not just about getting back on track; it’s about being realigned with the heart of God.

A Renewed Vision is a Stronger Vision
After that encounter, Peter was no longer the same. He would go on to lead the early church, boldly preach at Pentecost, and endure persecution. The man who once fled in fear now stood firm in faith. Why? Because he had been restored by love and grace.

Your Purpose is Not Over
Maybe you’ve drifted too. Maybe you once walked with clarity, passion, and purpose, but life happened - wounds, mistakes, disillusionment - and you found yourself back in the boat, doing what’s familiar, even if it feels empty. But take heart: Jesus is standing on the shore of your life, calling out, “Have you any food?” Not to shame, but to awaken. Not to condemn, but to invite you into restoration.

Purpose can be lost, but vision can be restored - not through striving, but through encounter. Just as He did with Peter, Jesus offers you a seat at the fire, a meal of grace, and a recommissioning that says: “Feed My sheep. Follow Me.” Your story isn’t over. Your calling still stands. From lost purpose to restored vision - He’s not done with you yet. Amen!

Shalom!

Ezekiel Olukolajo
Contact: [email protected]