Saturday, March 24, 2007
Life Tranformation: Fragile Stone to Living Stone
Things are never in reality how we picture them in our mind. And the outcome tends to be different than what we think will happen when we first start on a journey. Peter must have felt the same way about his journey with Jesus.
Who would have ever seen this simple fisherman being a person who would leave a permanent mark on the world? What even Simon could not see in the beginning, Jesus saw. He looked down through time and saw Simon as a rock.
Jesus knew how to see the potential in everyone. And if the individual were to only see what God saw, the person would never be the same. This still holds true today. God believes in you more than you ever will because He knows the intended design and capacity of your life.
Peter went from a fragile stone to a pillar in God's early Church. Two keys jump out about his amazing life and ministry. Peter was willing and he desired to be with Jesus and to become like him.
Even when Peter had doubts and questions and would dare to say no to Jesus, Peter eventually came around to doing whatever was asked of him. He was willing to be used by God. Secondly, he had a great desire to be with Jesus. Generally brash and impatient, Peter would leap to be with Jesus and try to do what he did.
More than just copy his actions, Peter developed to the point where he sought to become like Christ and take from His strength and power. He came to believe in himself and what God could do in a life that was fully surrendered to the will and call of God.
At first, Peter had an idea of what Jesus could do for him and his people. He was quick to remind Jesus what he left to follow Him. This suggests that Peter was lobbying for a top spot in whatever revolution Jesus would bring.
The reality was far different from what anybody seemed to anticipate except Jesus. God's kingdom coming to earth was less about riches and more about giving. It showed the greatest glory in sacrifice and love not power and fame. There was no place for self adoration. If Jesus as God, focused on the glory of God, the Father, how much more should the disciples stay away from self promotion?
Upon seeing the first of many great miracles performed for him, Peter fell down at Jesus' feet and begged Him to leave. Peter declared himself to be sinner unworthy of honor. Jesus did not leave him her. He lifted Peter's head and challenged him to seize the identity that God has in store for him.
Throughout his life, Peter struggled between extremes. At one moment he could be very brash and proud. The next he could be fearful or struggling with a sense of inferiority. Other times he could be very humble or meek. Peter could be stubborn or the most moldable of disciples. He was raw - someone we can all relate to by our own struggles.
Who would have ever seen this simple fisherman being a person who would leave a permanent mark on the world? What even Simon could not see in the beginning, Jesus saw. He looked down through time and saw Simon as a rock.
Jesus knew how to see the potential in everyone. And if the individual were to only see what God saw, the person would never be the same. This still holds true today. God believes in you more than you ever will because He knows the intended design and capacity of your life.
Peter went from a fragile stone to a pillar in God's early Church. Two keys jump out about his amazing life and ministry. Peter was willing and he desired to be with Jesus and to become like him.
Even when Peter had doubts and questions and would dare to say no to Jesus, Peter eventually came around to doing whatever was asked of him. He was willing to be used by God. Secondly, he had a great desire to be with Jesus. Generally brash and impatient, Peter would leap to be with Jesus and try to do what he did.
More than just copy his actions, Peter developed to the point where he sought to become like Christ and take from His strength and power. He came to believe in himself and what God could do in a life that was fully surrendered to the will and call of God.
At first, Peter had an idea of what Jesus could do for him and his people. He was quick to remind Jesus what he left to follow Him. This suggests that Peter was lobbying for a top spot in whatever revolution Jesus would bring.
The reality was far different from what anybody seemed to anticipate except Jesus. God's kingdom coming to earth was less about riches and more about giving. It showed the greatest glory in sacrifice and love not power and fame. There was no place for self adoration. If Jesus as God, focused on the glory of God, the Father, how much more should the disciples stay away from self promotion?
Upon seeing the first of many great miracles performed for him, Peter fell down at Jesus' feet and begged Him to leave. Peter declared himself to be sinner unworthy of honor. Jesus did not leave him her. He lifted Peter's head and challenged him to seize the identity that God has in store for him.
Throughout his life, Peter struggled between extremes. At one moment he could be very brash and proud. The next he could be fearful or struggling with a sense of inferiority. Other times he could be very humble or meek. Peter could be stubborn or the most moldable of disciples. He was raw - someone we can all relate to by our own struggles.
