Jeremiah 29:11 ~ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
It's extremely hard to respect folks who are more comfortable talking about you than they are talking to you. Truths being twisted and inaccuracies exaggerated into fables. It's in these moments that we must depend on God's strength the most and realize our value is solely found in Him, not in the opinions of man.
Although Jesus asked His disciples “Who do men say that I am?” It wasn’t a question to help Him define Himself; He knew who He was. Then when He asked, “But who do you say that I am?” He wanted to know if His disciples had the revelation of who He was. We expect those who are in our inner circle to have a better understanding of who we are, more than those who are on the outside. So when there are speculations, assumptions and empty conversations, keep in mind, they’re clueless and not apart of your inner circle. Don’t waste your time trying to convince them; they’re just a distraction. Move on.
No one else but Peter had the revelation that Jesus was the Christ. What I like about Peter is even though things got real shaky, he didn’t sit around and have empty conversations about Jesus. He was scared, but his heart was repentant and sincere. (Refer to Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22 and John 13) Jesus also knew the heart of His betrayer, Judas Iscariot. Jesus knew the innermost heartbeat of Peter and who he would one day become after the cross; one of His greatest Apostles. Yet Judas’ story ended at the cross in disgrace.
Thank God that even in our weakness; He knows there is greatness inside of us that can change a world. Peter did and it came with a price he was willing to pay. Once Peter caught a glimpse of what he was created for, no one could move him from his position in life. He was given his purpose and instructions from God and went full steam ahead. It didn’t matter what people thought about him; he was here to serve God to the end. And he did.
There has always been gossip and resistance about the people who have brought change. Not everyone looks through the same lens. Look at Jesus; He brought change to a hurting world through healing our bodies, souls and spirits AND an eternal future with Him. And still the world rejects Him. Isn’t it curious as to why so many people hate Him, when His message is love? (John 3:16) World changers will come, shake things up and leave a positive legacy behind, no matter what’s been said about them. If it’s God…it won’t be erased by the negatives. So…heads up, shoulders back, grab your Bibles, shake it off and get to steppin’. God’s got you! †
Comments