Life is a Blessing

I’ve warmed my hands by the fire... have you?

By Tracy McCoy

Iam a believer much like Peter, the disciple of Jesus. The first one to jump out of the boat in a rush to meet with his Savior and fully trusting Him that he would take off across the water without a thought of sinking. This statement does not speak boastfully of Peter or me but rather the reckless heart that might slice off an ear in defense of our King. Peter seemed to be one that would act first and think later... I am guilty. His heart was right even when he denied Jesus three times. In thinking about writing this month’s column and aligning myself with Peter who denied Christ I thought twice about it, but once I began to think about his passion for Christ and his willingness to follow him I saw in my mind’s eye Peter always front and center hanging on His every word, longing to be closer to His Lord.

Fiercely loyal, bold and unafraid. Perhaps we would call Peter an immature Christian. I see Peter on the front pew on the edge of his seat, tattered bible in hand, pen behind his ear. When the choir begins to sing, a Peter is singing with them... off-key. Hands raised, heart fully sold out for Jesus he would share his testimony. He would tell anyone who would listen about the water walking story and how important it is to keep your eyes on your Master. With widened eyes Peter would recount how he began to sink, with great animation he would take the listener with him as his knees felt the cold water of the sea... then with arms spread and voice deepening he would tell how Jesus called out to him and reached out to him and how He’ll do the same for you.

In the book of Acts the story is told about the day of Pentecost and how the Holy Spirit filled the disciples and Peter began to preach to the crowd and 3,000 souls came forward to receive Jesus as their Savior. His love for the Lord and the Holy Spirit that lived within him empowered him to spread the message of Christ, start a ministry, preach to the Jews and later the Gentiles and grow in the Lord. He was unafraid of arrest and persecution. Many scholars consider Peter the eyewitness source for the Gospel of Mark and he was the author of 1st and 2nd Peter.

Peter knew great fear and doubt. He sometimes let his passions rule him instead of faith in God. In Christ’s darkest hours Peter abandoned Him and denied him three times. After His resurrection Jesus took special care to rehabilitate Peter and assure him he was forgiven. I would say to you I would never deny my Lord in a million years... Peter said the same thing sitting right next to Him, only hours before He was arrested. I have never spoke the words “I know not this man of whom ye speak” like Peter did but countless times my actions have said those very words. In years past and even now the choices I’ve made have denied my affiliation with my Savior. Our actions almost always speak louder than our words. Have you ever turned your head when you should have spoke, warming your hands by the fire hoping no one would put you on the spot just like Peter? Even hid your Christianity because of fear you’d be rejected? I think that if you are honest you could remember a time and place when your actions didn’t reflect your knowing Jesus. So, maybe there is a little Peter in each one of us.

What came after his denial? He remembered the words Jesus spoke to him earlier and he realized his sin and... he wept. I bet it was more than wept I bet he sobbed. I have. There have been times in my life that I was so sorry. I could almost cry now reliving those moments. Peter was forgiven just as I’ve been, by a loving, caring Lord who gave His life for me and all the other Peters in the world.

“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were” 1 Peter 2:24

His forgiveness is free – paid for at the cross of Calvary. Jesus loves you and He longs to know you.

A life with Jesus in it is truly God’s greatest blessing.