Follow Me

Another charcoal fire. Another conversation. This time, an invitation to begin again. Inspired by John 21, “Follow Me” follows Peter to the shoreline, where the risen Jesus has breakfast waiting. The disciple who denied Him encounters a love that feeds him, restores him, and entrusts him with caring for others. A song for anyone carrying the weight of failure: Jesus’ invitation still reaches us where we are—and calls us forward into a life of following Him. There was another charcoal fire. I knew that smell. Another night, Another fire, Another question— And three times I said I didn’t know You. But this fire was different. You had made it Before I came. We’d fished all through the darkness. Our nets came back with nothing. Then a voice called from the shoreline, “Cast your net on the right.” John turned and whispered, “It is the Lord.” I threw myself into the water And made my way to You. There was bread. There was fish. There was a fire. And You said, “Come and have breakfast.” You didn’t ask me where I’d been. You fed me first. You didn’t ask me why I failed You. You asked me if I loved You. You didn’t make me earn My way back home. At the first fire I said, “I don’t know Him.” At the second, “Lord, You know.” You knew the worst I’d done And still You called me close. This is what Your mercy does— It finds us in our failure And calls us back to You. When breakfast was finished, You turned and spoke my name. “Simon, son of John, Do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.” “Feed My lambs.” Again You asked the question. Again I answered You. And then a third time— “Do you love Me?” Three times beside another fire I had denied Your name. Now three times You let my love Speak where fear had spoken shame. “Lord, You know all things. You know that I love You.” You didn’t ask me why I failed You. You asked me if I loved You. At the first fire I said, “I don’t know Him.” At the second, “Lord, You know.” You knew the worst I’d done And still You called me close. But mercy wasn’t finished— You trusted me again. “Feed My sheep.” You placed the ones You loved Into the hands That had once failed You. You didn’t only forgive me. You gave me something Worth living for. Once I said, “I’ll lay my life down for You.” And I couldn’t. But You knew One day I would. Then You looked at me And said the words You’d spoken from the beginning: “Follow Me.” I turned and saw John behind us. “Lord, what about him?” And You brought my wandering eyes Back onto You. “What is that to you? You— Follow Me.” Follow Me When you understand. Follow Me When you don’t. Follow Me When your courage holds. And when you have failed— Come back to the fire. There is still a place for you. You know every place I’ve failed You. You know how much I love You. I don’t have to hide What You already know. You knew me when I followed. You knew me when I fell. You knew exactly who I was And called me anyway. You feed me. You forgive me. You trust me with Your own. And every road Still comes to this: Keep my eyes on You. From the Word Who was there in the beginning, To morning on the shore— After everything You’ve shown me, After everything You’ve done, There is only one thing left For me to do. “Follow Me.” “Yes, Lord.” “Follow Me.”