When you asked them that question did you know the answer to the question or were you honestly searching for an honest answer?
Just as Jesus met with Peter and asked him three times "Simon, do you love Me?"
At the end of the text, Peter, turned around and saw the disciple whom was with them and Peter asked Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, 'If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me." {For further in depth reading visit John 21:12-22}
Recently Jesus asked me the same questions and asked me three times. In the midst of my Bible study I didn't realize He asked me those three times until I went back to read my days entry. Ironic, in those moments Jesus asked me, I didn't realize what exactly He was asking of me. I don't believe Peter did either. The scriptures say that Peter was grieved. I wasn't grieved, I was curious as to why Jesus asked me, if He already knew the answer. However, when I studied the scriptures, Jesus gave Peter three new jobs to do out of love; feed His lambs, tend His sheep, and feed His sheep. Peter was given new employment.
Today, I was lead to walk the river front area after the church services. As I walked along the water front, the Lord spoke and said He had something for me to see. I continued walking from the river front to St Johns Avenue. There on St Johns Avenue on a park bench on the sidewalk was Michael. Michael is probably our city's longest living homeless man. So, I asked Michael if I could sit with him and talk. Of course, his face lit up and we began to chat. It felt like we were two friends who have known each other for years. Michael and I laughed at the animations of the stories he shared. We talked about how God has a plan for his life and wants to bless him more and what keeps Michael from receiving those blessings as well as believing he can.
While sitting there on the on the park bench, a waitress from a local business came out to us and handed Michael a lunch she had prepared. He was truly blessed and gave thanks. In those few moments, I heard God speak to me, "see, they will take care of him and the others."
Following Jesus means to let go of control. We want to hold tightly to the things we own, the relationships we have, the job we do, and the comfort zone we live in. But, Jesus is forever changing our hearts and lives for the best when we let him. Michael has a difficult time with accepting the best from Jesus and I would guess you do too. Letting go and allowing God to move in your life even when it doesn't look right to others, gives God the opportunity to work in your life to give you His best.
I am letting go of my comfort zone, releasing control of the jobs I do, leaving the home I am comfortable in, and letting go of relationships I have made just to follow Him.
This is a huge step for me, but I didn't get here with just this giant leap of faith. It took small steps throughout my recovery to get where I am today. It took trusting God with the small things in my life and allowing myself to see His mighty hand at work. Do I have a fear of failing? Some, but for the most part, I know God is more than able to carry me and He is the one that has the master plan to prosper me; to give me a hope and a future with where He is leading me to go.
If you think you can't allow God to change your circumstances; you're probably right and you won't let him. But if you think you can allow Him, you will and God will do amazing things for His glory through you.
Do something amazing for Jesus today and allow Him to use you to leave a legacy for others and give Him the glory.
~Be encouraged, with Jesus you cannot go wrong.
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