Being Peter
A devotional pondering on the characteristics of the disciple Peter.
SCRIPTURE:
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
—Matthew 16:18—
THOUGHT:
OK, I must admit to you that I have always felt an affinity for Peter. Bold, obnoxious, go-getter, etc. That seems like some positive assets. Yet, with Peter, it almost always ended in frustration or disaster or embarrassment. Let’s recall the walking on water debacle, or the 3-time denial, or ……the list goes on and on.
You would think that Jesus would have given up on Peter long ago. Instead though, Jesus stated something none of us would expect. Referring to the scripture above, Jesus actually states that Peter will be “the rock” or the foundation on which the “church”, as we know it today, will be built. What?!?! From Peter who denied knowing You? From Peter who began to sink because he turned his focus away from You? From Peter, who had to have everything repeated 3 times? Doesn’t seem logical Spock.
Hmmm…..this one hits too close to home. I am that bold, obnoxious, slow learner. I am the Peter that thinks they know everything and then falls flat on their face in turmoil.
Thankfully, I believe there is an explanation and some greatly needed good news. Jesus sees past our sins and our mistakes and especially sees past our personalities and traits. He makes new things out of old. He changes a bold, obnoxious person into a bold, strong, and perfectly confident person. He turns a doubter into a believer. He turns a slow learner into a scholar of The Word.
Recently, with a lot more time on our hands during this pandemic, I truly believe that many of us, dare I say most of us, have had time to reflect. In my world, the bold and obnoxious part has learned how to try and be patient. The slow learner has learned lots of new skills (some out of curiosity and some out of survival mode). Yet, just when I think I have metamorphized sufficiently, then the old-self rears up it’s ugly head with a vengeance!
I was excited when I started returning to school for a few days. I saw real faces beyond my family. I had conversations beyond “What’s for dinner?” I was “working” in another place other than my laptop at home. It was the REAL WORLD again. There was hope for the END of the pandemic. Or at least a slowly turning “curve” as they so affectionately refer to it in all the news segments.
Now though, as you have likely heard of in the last few days, everything is closing down again and restrictions are being put up and people are being asked to stay home again. AAAGGGHH! The bold, obnoxious, go-getter, slow learner in me is still alive and well, I am sad to say. The “Peter” personality has returned! My first reflex is to blame the people who are not following social distancing protocol and I suspect that is part of it. Yet, I also suspect that it is just the journey of this nasty and deadly virus. “It will take time”.
Oh, how I despise that phrase !! Us “Peters” like to change for the better…..and then…GET ON WITH IT! Our innermost selves are screaming out for a quick answer, a perfect answer, and an opportunity to go back to normal. Yet, I believe I also know that Peter learned so much from having to wait on God and learn his human limitations and have a revelation that he is not the center of the universe.
So…I am trying to focus on the positive side of Peter and the lessons God is trying to show me. It’s allowing me to continue to have more time for Bible study, for devotionals, for work that I have put aside because “I don’t have time”, for time with my family (that can be good and bad), and everything else that isolation brings.
Am I still frustrated? Yes. Am I trying to make the best of it and learn from this situation? Yes. Am I still a Peter? Yes. Am I a BETTER Peter? Yes. Is God trying to build me up in order to be a better foundation, like Peter? Yes. Am I going to try and be a good example for that foundation? Yes….OK,I am going to try. In that light, I believe that if there is hope for us Peters, there is hope for everyone.
I wish you the “Best of Peter” day (or possibly days and weeks).
PRAYER:
Creator God, we are ready for everything to get back to normal. We are frustrated and impatient. Yet, we also know that you are the God that squashes frustration and comforts impatience. We know, that, like Peter, you can teach us so much in this stressful situation. Teacher, bless us with the tools we need to stay positive and to continue to learn more about You in this era. Help us to lift others up. Help us to become a better self.
AMEN.
Like this? Please let us know!