You Can Call Me Peter

Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will fall away on account of me…”
Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
“I tell you the truth”, Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows,
you will disown me three times”.
Matthew 26:31 & 33-34

 

I’ve never used my words to deny Him, but I have denied Him.

I’ve never said ‘I don’t know Him’, but I’ve acted as though I didn’t.

I’ve never walked away from Him, but I’ve walked away from opportunities to talk about Him.

Peter and I are one-in-the-same.

Most people would call me “religious”, as they know I go to church. Most people would call me “churched” as they see me pray before I eat. Most people would call me a “woman of faith” because I don’t use foul language, read certain magazines, or watch certain shows.

But would most people say “Wow, she really loves Jesus”?

I don’t want to be called “religious” {it’s not about duty or ritual}.

I don’t want to be called “churched” {because I went to church for years, but I never heard the Truth}

I don’t want to be called simply a “woman of faith” {because faith can be placed in anything}

I want to be known for loving Jesus. I want to be known as a Christian {a true Christ-follower}.

But you see, there’s a problem…

I’ve denied Him.

I’ve acted as though I didn’t know Him.

Sometimes I am afraid. Sometimes I’m afraid of the world. Sometimes I’m afraid to be judged; afraid to be put in a box. Some days I’m afraid of (wo)man, of what they will whisper, or how they will react. And so I keep my mouth closed, I hold back the Truth or I play ignorant. I don’t tell them I love Jesus, I keep Him to myself.

In those moments, you might as well call me Peter {signal rooster}.

Others may not know, but I know. I denied His prompting; I walked away from His moment.  And. I. know. it.

He knows I did this, but He too knows the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matt 26:41). He knows our hearts, He knows our fears, He knows our weaknesses. He knows we still have room for growth.

And despite all that, He still loves us. He still loves us, just as we are.

I’ve been learning lately that it’s about obedience. It’s about stepping out in faith. It’s about knowing that they don’t hate me, they hate the Light within me. It’s about not fearing their reaction and instead leaving our fate in His hands. It’s about trusting Him instead of (wo)man. It’s about taking steps to look more like Him, even if they are baby steps. It’s about allowing Him to change me, just as He changed Peter.

Today I’m going to take those steps. Today I’m not going to pass up these opportunities. I’m not going to deny speaking His Truth. I’m not going to ignore His prompting. Instead I’m going to obey. I’m going to step out in faith. I’m going to step out in faith hoping they see Him, hoping they say…“Wow, she really loves Jesus”.

Will you step out with me?

Will you allow Him to mold you more and more into a reflection of His likeness today?

Trust Him, dear friend, let Him do the shining, you just be His vessel…

 

By Mandy Scarr at Zealous for Him