Leave the Boat
Anna Darlene Edmondson
“…He called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)
Since the beginning, God remains the Grand Initiator.
He continuously pursues and invites the unqualified into a vibrant relationship with Himself. For instance, we learn about God’s interruption of Abram’s life, when He summoned Abram to leave the Ur Chaldeans in Genesis 12. Surely this request unnerved Abram since sudden change can be scary. Uprooting schedules, leaving the comfort of family, friends, and customs.
More than that, it appeared foolish to follow an unseen Being through dangerous territory with only a ‘promise.’ However, by faith, Abram accepted God’s covenant and surrendered his life to the unknown.
He simply believed and obeyed God, not knowing the full plan or result (Heb 11:8).
With Abraham in mind, we realize the difficulty of understanding God’s methods. Now, may we ponder another shining character in the Bible.
Why would Jesus select an unlearned, rugged, erratic, and impulsive fisherman? Yet, after receiving an invitation for discipleship, Peter made a bold confession of Christ’s deity “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16).
However, later in an hour of crisis, Peter failed Jesus miserably. This act of denial tortured Peter’s heart and he returned to the familiar, his fishing boat. Meanwhile, a new day burst forth when Jesus arose from the tomb and appeared to Peter.
Not only did Jesus forgive, but restored and recommissioned Peter to “Feed My sheep” (John 21:17).
Today, let’s bolster ourselves toward an ‘eternal mindset,' realizing that we’re equipped with divine strength like Abraham, and even if we fall like Peter, God will always be there to restore us. Like Abraham and Peter, God enables us to fulfill our purpose once we step out in faith (Phil 2:13).
Father, grant us the courage to leave our boats of security and place every hope on the ONE who cannot fail.
Contact Darlene and find more of her articles HERE.
No comments:
Post a Comment