Equipped
Equipped
He has equipped us, He really has.
Often we think that we are not up to the task. It is far bigger than we can survive let alone accomplish. Let’s think about Peter; the fisherman, the apostle, the head of the first Jesus Centered organized church.
He was just a fisherman. He was lead to much more.
Peter’s faith wasn’t in his own abilities it was in Jesus.
Leading the church, that had nothing to do with what Peter was comfortable with. He would be entirely out of his comfort zone; he would need to fully lean on God. Peter would obey because he loved the Lord, he trusted the Lord.
Peter wasn’t perfect. He was hotheaded, tempestuous; he was faithful. Peter loved the Lord with all of his heart and yet found himself to be a coward when he betrayed Jesus. He was full of faith and courage when he got out of the boat, in the midst of the storm to walk toward Jesus on the water; and yet, full of doubt as he sunk into the waves when he looked at his circumstances instead of his teacher, his savior.
In the midst of it all, he was obedient. He came without question when Jesus asked him to follow him. Peter put a net in on the other side after a night of fishing with no success. It made no sense to him; the one thing he knew was how to fish. Yet Jesus asked and so he did. Jesus asked Peter to feed my lambs, take care of my sheep, and feed my sheep.
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you love me more than these? Yes, Lord, he said, you know that I love you. Jesus said, feed my lambs. Again Jesus said, Simon son of John, do you love me?
He answered, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. Jesus said, Take care of my sheep. The third time he said to him, Simon son of John, do you love me?
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, do you love me? He said, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said, feed my sheep.”
John 21:15-17 NIV
He was asked to do so much more than he was qualified for, but Jesus chose to bring reconciliation to Peter’s sin between them first. Jesus let Peter know that He knew about the betrayal and gave Peter the choice of love or shame. Peter chose love, three times he declared his love for Jesus for the three times he denied Him. The shame was no longer between them. The Lord wants to do the same for us too. We need to move out of the security of what we know; so we can do God’s plan for our lives. This plan takes us where we know we have to have God with us to achieve His plan for us. If we can do it on our own our vision is too small.
But there is a key; we need to reconcile with God so there is no shame or sin between us; just as the Lord did with Peter. Jesus wanted Peter to have everything he needed to succeed.
Peter started as a fisherman and became a fisher of men. But he would not be alone.
Jesus promised him He would send the Holy Spirit to empower Peter and all who would be a Jesus follower. The Holy Spirit would empower them to do more than they thought possible with wisdom and might. The Holy Spirit emboldened them to spread the Good News, the Savior of the world had come and will come again in glory.
Jesus says:
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:25-27 NIV
Peter was appointed to lead the church. He was to organize the apostles and teach them how to teach, lead, and care for the people that were Jesus followers. He taught the people about Jesus and the good news of salvation. He healed the sick and cast out demons in Jesus name. He followed his master’s lead.
We are not all called to lead a church. We may not even be called to be missionaries in foreign lands. Or maybe we are. Each one of us has a God-given purpose for our lives. Rick Warren wrote a book several years ago, The Purpose Driven Life describing just that.
Whether it is in business, or our communities and schools; churches and neighborhoods we can have an impact for God with those we live; we all have a role/purpose to fulfill. But will we?
How often do we want to stay comfortable? Don’t risk, we may look or feel like a fool. Often we shy away from stretching outside our comfort zone, we don’t want to fail, or it’s way too much work, and we have never done “that” before; then there is the proverbial “it’s just not my skill-set.” This could have been Peter’s response BUT He loved Jesus and knew that if Jesus asked him to do it, Jesus would give him all he needed to succeed.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
God’s plans for us are as diverse as snowflakes, each unique with our own DNA attached. We each are equipped with all we need.
The question then becomes will we fulfill our specific purpose? Will we be able to be a reflection of God in all that we do? Have we invited the Holy Spirit to abide with us so we abide in Him?
Have we chosen to be reconciled to Jesus so that there is nothing between us, nothing stopping us from hearing His still small voice in our hearts? Have we heard His call in our lives?
A lot of questions, this is true, but just, as Peter knew Jesus, loved Jesus was reconciled with Jesus he then could follow Jesus’ direction for his life. So can we.
So what is the purpose that is driving your life?
