Scripture focus: When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. "And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven." He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:12-20 The Message
I’ve made some lousy assumptions about the work of God. As a new believer, I jumped into my faith journey with 110% commitment to God following. I figured if I made the decision to turn my life over to God’s care and control, I was either going to go full throttle or not go at all.
Passion is a beautiful thing, but without proper preparation I can honestly say that all my enthusiasm was as messy and sloppy as the boundless love our grand-puppy bestows on us each morning when we release her from her kennel.
It was in this stage of puppy love in my faith that I first read, “He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah.” Boy was this confusing! My teachers were telling me about the Great Commission and my responsibility to share the good news of Jesus with everyone I came in contact with. I honestly believed that God needed me to be his representative on earth – a one woman marketing team and a perfect, flawless example of God in human form. Anything short of perfection on my part would sully God’s reputation. Clearly, I had some confusing theology that needed clarification.
I don’t know where you are on your own road to finding your way back to God, but I want to encourage you along the way. Living a spiritually renewed life is confusing at times. Sometimes our enthusiasm will provide more energy than expertise. Please don’t let this discourage you. Your biggest blunders may one day provide you with the experience, strength and hope you need to achieve God’s prevailing purposes within the framework of the life he has dreamed for you. I guarantee you that your failures will be more instructional to you in the spiritual renewal process than any of your perceived successes.
Don’t fear your questions, doubts, or inner gut feeling that perhaps, just maybe, you might be missing something in the translation of God’s word into your life experience. Keep plugging. You can do this, with God helping you every step of the way!
Recommended reading: Isaiah 50-52
1 comment:
HE knows our hearts.
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