Have you ever been awakened in the middle of the night by a thought? It’s a little unsettling at first, who’s thought is that and why did it wake me from sleep. Once you come to your senses, you realize it’s more of a voice than a thought. Then it repeats “if this was all there was and you had nothing more, would you still love me?” My thoughts run straight to the scripture and I think of Peter’s conversation with the Lord after the resurrection….
Simon, son of John, do you truly love me more than these? After the third time being asked Peter’s reply is “Lord you know all things, you know I love you.”
I believe the Lord asked Peter 3 times as if to erase the 3 times of denial and extend full redemption and grace to him.
The initial question….”if this was all there was and there was nothing more….would you still love me?
My response: Lord I’ve given you everything, my home, my family, my time. my life; I strive to seek you first every day. Lord of the universe, who knows all things, you know that I love you.
Then I look back at the scripture and see the Lords response to Peter is a description of his death reminding Peter that following Him is not easy and the rewards are not of this world.
Although life is not always easy and sometimes is full of struggles and hardships….I’ve learned “Better is one day in His house, better is one day in His courts than thousands elsewhere, than thousands elsewhere.”
As hard as this trip has been at times and as wonderful as it has been others…..I´d still make the same choice, I´d still be seeking the life abundant.
