Impetuous Peter and the Journey to Self-Discovery in Christ

When you think of Peter, what is the first thing you think of? Cutting off a guy's ear? Standing in front of the "Pearly Gates"? 

Who was Peter? 

Impetuous Peter had a whole slew of qualities. Let’s look at some of them.

Peter walked on water; he slashed off a man’s ear. Peter recognized Jesus as the Son of God, and then he denied Jesus three times. Peter was a fisher of men, but could not watch and pray for a few hours. He was prone to legalism but dreamed of freedom from the law. He did not see the big picture before the crucifixion but preached on the day of Pentecost and thousands got saved. 

Peter ran from the horror of a trial and then hanged out in a cramped room full of believers in the days following Jesus’ death. Peter was a man of God and he had a temper. He was a fisherman and he was a brother. He was not rich but gave what he had. Peter heard a voice in the desert then followed a Savior. He was a twin with identity issues and he stood out to all those around him. He was prideful then let Jesus wash his feet. He failed then he was restored.

We are like Peter! 

Every time I think I have life figured out, I seem to find one thing or another to fail in and mess things up. Peter was no stranger to this phenomenon. But God still used Peter and He can use you and me! God uses the things the world puts no faith in, and He confounds conventional wisdom because there is success anyway, strength anyway, peace anyway.  

Peter was an Expert

Peter had something that we need. He had time with Jesus. I have heard it said that it takes 10,000 hours of work, research and time with a subject before you become an expert. That is 1 year, 1 month and 21 days (roughly) of one on one with the subject of study. Peter walked and talked, and was taught by Jesus for nearly three years. He was an expert. He was a believer. He was a founding apostle developing doctrine and teaching countless men and women throughout his life. And he still had issues.

So if all this is true, what does it mean for us? 

It means we can be an Impetuous Peter too. 

We can make mistakes, and have tempers, and fall on our face with pride issues, but if we continually surrender to God and allow Him to grow us, guide us, and lead us by the belt, then we can impact the world too.

Growing up I always thought of Peter as a weak willed man. He denied Jesus. I had no empathy at all for him. I could not figure out why Jesus went out of his way in John 21 to restore Peter and encourage him the way He did.  Part of my confusion was a lack of understanding the Jesus’ character, but now, I understand what it takes to be a real follower, and I know that Jesus is the lifter of my head. This was Jesus’ whole purpose on earth: restoration, forgiveness, and teaching. Now I realize that I am an Impetuous Peter, and I need restoration, forgiveness and understanding that can only come from Jesus.

I know that there is a long history and spiritual ancestry that is behind me. I know that like Peter, I will make mistakes. Like Peter, I have a calling on my life. Just as you do. For this purpose did I come, to testify to the truth!  

Like Peter I cannot get caught in the past, but have to allow myself to be renewed, and restored and made usable every day. I have to proclaim the glories of God and remind people the time is NOW.  Tall order? Maybe, but with God all things are possible.

So I want to close with a few questions.

1. Are you like Peter or is there another person in the Bible that you identify with more? Why?

2. What is your purpose? Have you defined who you are supposed to be in Christ yet?

3. Have there been moments in your life that made you think “That’s it, I really blew it now!” and made you feel like there could be no way you could move forward?

4. If you answered yes to #3, has there been a moment that Jesus restored you like in John 21? Reminding you there are things you still have to give and to do?

These are not easy questions. They are designed to make you think about your life and to press in to figure out first who you are in Christ and secondly to figure out what God has called you to do.  We overcome by the word of our testimony. I have to remember mine almost daily.

What is your story?

Body Check

Today I feel like I should just take a minute and give you a closer glimpse into my life and what has been happening lately.

First I have to say I am so excited by all the wonderful things happening on this blog. I know I don’t get many comments, but just the site visits from the different nations, (which I have written about before) and the exposure happening with other sites picking up my stream, I “geek out”  quite a bit.

Secondly, things here at home have been extremely interesting. I have two wonderful daughters, both teens, and my youngest has given her life to the Lord this week, so now my whole family is serving God! This more than anything has made my year, and it is only February.

Things have been challenging as well. It always seems to be a mixed bag, this thing called life. (Of course it rains on the just and the unjust, right? – Matthew 5:45)  

One of those challenges is the on-going search for a job. As much as I wish writing this blog could be a permanent job for me, I am looking for a way to help the family and increase our household income. On average, I apply to about five jobs a day, but it is tough out there. Recently a local company wanted to fill 18 positions, so they had a job fair; 200 showed up. That gives you a small glimpse into the challenges of unemployment right now….  

Thankfully God is faithful, and He does not leave us without. He is sufficient and He does provide.  (1 Corinthians 1:9, Genesis 22:14) As we continue to trust and rely on Him, please lift us up in your prayers.

One of the other challenges for me is balancing my passions with my day to day life. Do you have that problem?  I get so invested in something that I shut myself away and throw myself into it so much that my family has to come into my room to remember what I look like.

It could be something as simple as a video game, social networking, or  yes, even this blog that I am "passionate" about at any given moment, but no matter the focus I always seem to struggle with balance.  

Luckily, I am reminded of Romans 12:1-2. We are supposed to take our everyday, walking around life and place it before God as an offering. When we do that, balance will follow. Aren't you glad Father knows best?  

So this is what is happening with me in this first month of 2012. 

Are you having any challenges you need to overcome? 

Need prayer about anything?

Finding it hard to balance your passions with the day to day? 

Maybe you have a wonderful testimony of God’s goodness you would like to share?

Leave a comment below and let us know what is going on with you.

We are one body, with many moving parts, (1 Corinthians 12:12) let’s do a body check….

Be blessed and be a blessing, and remember Present is an adjective!