Twins separated at birth. I'm pretty sure that describes Peter (as in the disciple) and I. Not that I could really prove our twinniness with DNA...it's just not necessary anyway. All you need to do is read the New Testament to see that he and I are two peas in a pod...cut from the same mold...yes, twins separated at birth.
Last week I was reading in John 13 where Jesus washes the disciples' feet. Here we see Peter's "extreme" personality when at first he basically tells Jesus "You'll never wash my feet" and then in the very next verse he begs Jesus to wash his hands and head, too.
Ah, Peter, could we BE any more alike? Highly emotional. Over-reacting. Black & white. Kind of like the way Scott describes my driving..."all gas or all brake." Sigh. And...reflecting on my Peterishness, I was a little bummed. In fact I found myself pleading with God, "Will you please teach me how to just shut up?"
But just as Jesus was so very tender with foolish Peter, He is so with me. Last Wednesday when M & I visited Scott's Bible Study, Scott mentioned to his friend that he had been reading about Peter in John 21. In this passage Peter is the only disciple to jump into the water to get to Jesus who is standing on the shore. Was plunging into the sea an irrational thing to do especially since the boat was not far off the shore? Maybe. But that is how desperately Peter longed to be near Jesus. As I listened to Scott recounting this story I was like "Yeah, I'd jump." I would jump like Peter...my twin. And as I left the Bible Study I was encouraged...encouraged by my God who created this highly emotional, overreacting, black & white girl. Because I know that, just as He did with my foolish brother Peter, HE can bring glory to His name through THIS foolish thing.
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29
Saturday, August 2, 2008
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2 comments:
You and I, girl, are 2 peas in a pod.
I LOVED this post. And I love Peter... who, in spite of being headstrong, a little crazy, a little overconfidant, and sometimes unfaithful... went on to become the disciple that Jesus referred to as "The Rock on which I will build my Church". Stubborn, hot-tempered Peter... the foundation Jesus chose for His Bride! Amazing. He can use you and I, too, sista. :)
Love ya,
R
P.S. If God ever tells you the best way to shut up, would you mind sharing that?? :)
I think God definitely made you with very special, amazing plans in mind;-).
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