Following at a Distance

Well, good morning!

The biggest realization God has smacked me in the head with lately is that dropping a bunch of "little" things of my proverbial plate will not do near as much good as dropping the plate. So, as of the last Wednesday in May, I will no longer be employed at the local coffee shop/Christian bookstore. Knowing, even now, that in a few weeks my schedule will be my own is quite freeing! My health, my family and my time have all been so affected by working part-time that I can't even walk straight anymore...seriously....my feet are killing me.

That being said, one of the things I look forward to gaining back is this time online. I miss getting my morning thoughts on "paper" and as I said to a friend last night, if I want quiet, I have to go to cyberspace to get it!!!

I went back into that "Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only" book a few weeks ago. I'm itching to get into the next one, "David: 90 Days with the One After God's Heart" (I think that's the title). I would love to know what life is like post-forgiveness...and I figure David had a clue. However, I need to, as my mother would say, "Start one thing before I finish another." :)

As much as the first 90% of the book took the tollway through Christ's earthly life and ministry, these last 10 days-worth are taking the scenic route through His crucifixion, farewell to His disciples, last prayers, etc... It's such a wonderful thing to meet each morning with the Savior who spent His last earthly moments thinking of me!

I was so encouraged by a few sections in Luke 22. At the Passover, the disciples started to bicker over who was the greatest among them. Jesus gently reminded them that to be considered "great" in the kingdom of God, they must first consider themselves "lowest" on earth. He continued with this poignant note to Peter:

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:31-32)

According to Beth Moore's commentary in the book, Satan had asked permission of God to sift the disciples like wheat. That 'you' was a collective one. However, Jesus is speaking specifically of and to Peter when He says, "I have prayed for you....when you have turned again..." Jesus knows our every thought before we mistakenly put it into action. And better yet, He knows full-well that WHEN we return---not IF---we will live out the purpose He has set beforehand for us (Ephesians 2:10). The providence and confidence found in this passage are so refreshing to me. But it gets better....

But he said to Him, "Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!"And He said, "I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me." (Luke 22:33-34)

In the VERY NEXT VERSE, Jesus calls Peter on what will happen and how he will be directly put to the test by the enemy. So He already knows the sin we'll commit. Despite our free will, He knows the foolish choices we'll make every time. And when that happens...

But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:60-62)

Jesus is right there, through an open window, making eye contact with us and reminding us that not only did He know this would happen, but He is there to help us get back up again. I don't believe for a second that there was condemnation in Christ's eyes as He connected with His beloved disciple. Knowing that only hours before, Jesus was praying for this very moment in Peter's life, assures me that in His eyes there was only encouragement and love. Maybe there was even a bit of, "Now, use this to strengthen your brothers. This is what I meant and this was for your good. All of this...is for you."

When we trip...and we will...we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus is already there, with His pierced hands lying open, ready to break our fall. He will gently lift us to our feet and point us in the direction of that path He has set before us. Then we can take our confidence in Him, boast in His strength and "lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..." (Hebrews 12:1)