Thank you for Peter!!

At training camp I had a humbling experience. We played a game that was intended to teach us about persecusoin and underground churches in closed countries. In the game I was arrested twice. The first time I was quiet and didn’t answer any questions. The second time I wa arrested a guard in prison came me to and asked me  if I was a Christian. I don’t know what came over me but I said no. Instantly I felt so guilty! I was freed and was safe, but couldn’t stop thinking about it, and tried to justify it in my mind…”I don’t really like the term Christian, that has a bad connotation. I am a follower of Chirst, a fisher of men, not a ‘Christian’ whatever that means”, but I knew that didn’t sit right either. I started thinking about that Cassie Bernell from Colombine shooting who was killed when she answered yes to the same question. Why couldn’t I say yes?! Or atleast why didn’t I just say nothing… the greatest consequence for me was to have some ketchup or syrup to be thrown on me. Then members of my squad who were in prison were singing amazing grace while they were getting hosed down, and again I wondered why I didn’t react the same way. I started to plot a way to redeem myself by getting arrested again and getting put back in prison and getting all my church to meet up there with our paster, but before I could do anything the game was over.

Finally, I thought of Peter. Peter who denied Jesus 3 times. It made me greatful that God gives us good examples like Cassie, and my squadmates, who declare their faith even in the face of danger, but also he gives us the example of Peter who failed to do so. Peter believed that he would die before he would ever deny Christ, but he did it three times. He never needed to redeem himself, because Jesus had already died on the cross for that. Jesus did bless Peter with the opportunity to declare his love for Jesus three times when he was asked “do you love me?… yes Jesus you know I love you… tend my sheep…” 

Thank God, He could still use Peter, and he can still use me. He still loved Peter, and he still loves me. I am not alone with out an example set forth for me. Now I can say… I love you, and I willl go to the nations and tend your sheep.