(Ecclesiastes 1:1-8, John 21:3-13)
…They Caught Nothing…
This phrase refers to the disciples after they toiled through the night at the sea of Tiberia but had nothing to show for their efforts. They possibly started their fishing adventure believing that they would have some catch. That was what their expertise and ability say. Now, the reality is having nothing to show for their efforts. These words describe men and women who realize that despite all efforts, ability, and bravery they have caught nothing. They say, “on my journey so far, what have I achieved.” This is who we are without Jesus! No matter how strong, learned, or experienced we think we are; without Jesus we are nothing. In the pursuit of the meaning of our existence, when we try to determine the purpose of our lives, without knowing Jesus, we end up the same way we started; with nothing. If we want to know the purpose of any gadgets we buy, we find the manufacturer’s manual to know his/her purpose and instructions for manufacturing such gadgets. But when we want to look for the purpose of our lives, we ignore the Creator, some may even convince themselves that they do not have a Creator. They spend some much trying to convince themselves that they exist only by their ability and knowledge. This is a race or adventure after nothingness. I remember how much time I waste whenever I ignore the manufacturer’s manuals. Sometimes I feel that I discovered the purpose for the gadgets without the manual only to realize how much I have missed out in knowing the full utilization of the gadgets.

Having nothingness goes beyond not having “nothing” for our efforts. It also talks about when we have material successes to show for our endeavors in life but we still feel empty. There would be times when everything we have or achieved fails to comfort us for our feelings of emptiness. At those times, human motivation and encouragement usually fail. In those times, we even think our families and friends are not sensitive to our challenges while they just do not know how more to help. Instead of letting pride detach us from loved ones, to start another cycle of the pursuit of nothingness, please let us humble ourself and seek Jesus Christ. Your strength cannot sustain you forever, it is superficial and limited!

James 4:6-10
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore he says, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

See how the wisest man on earth and the richest among all Israel kings says it
Ecclesiastes 1:2
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

Those are times when what can help us is a personal relationship with Jesus. When you think no one understands your situation and they cannot help. Jesus can! But you need to ask Him to help you because Jesus respects our decision. He would not intervene unless we want Him to. Only the devil burgles his way into our situations, Jesus Christ does not. Even when we feel we are lost and do not know what to do. Jesus knows all! Because He who knows all is able to help us, taking our nothingness, giving us abundant fruitfulness, just as the disciples ended up catching a lot of fish after all night’s fruitless efforts. He can turn the mess of our miserable situations into testimonies.

John 21:5-6
5 Then Jesus said unto them, Children, have you any fish? They answered him, No.
6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and you shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fish.

Psalms 62:8b …you people, pour out your heart before him

If Jesus is on the throne in our lives and situations, there can be no nothingness. When we have Jesus Christ, nothingness flees!

Psalm 16:5-11
5 The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: you maintain my lot.
6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
7 I will bless the LORD, who has given me counsel: my heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
10 For you will not leave my soul in sheol; neither will you allow your Holy One to see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Prayer Points
1) Every dark thought, I rebuke you and give my heart to the Kingship of Jesus Christ and His instructions, I receive a sound mind from Jesus, in Jesus name.
2) My heart, I bow you and submit you to the Holy Spirit and His voice, I rebuke every deceit of fruitless overthinking in Jesus name.
3) I pray, may my heart and mind be healed and my doubt be gone in Jesus name (2 Timothy 1:7)
4) Lord Jesus, reveal to me Your purpose for creating me.
5) Father, help me to achieve Your purpose for my life, in Jesus name (John 12:28 Father, glorify your name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again).