Eyes Ahead, Hand to the Plow, Feeding Sheep...

Of all the disciples, Simon Peter is probably my favorite.  I admire the passion that he had, and I can often relate to him.  From what I've understood about Simon, he genuinely loved the Lord. Simon Peter was the one who walked out on the water to Jesus, only to take his eyes off of Him and sink moments later.  Of course, Jesus took him by the hand and pulled him back up. Simon was the one who followed the Lord from a distance as Jesus was being led away to be crucified.  Shortly before this scene, Simon had drawn his sword and cut off the high priest's servant's ear, defending Jesus when His enemies came for Him.  Simon had told Jesus that he would never deny Him.  And yet, here and now - as Jesus was being led away to His crucifixion - Simon Peter denied knowing Christ... not only once, but three times over. And again, as one reads further in the Word, Jesus didn't give up on Simon Peter.  Following Christ's resurrection, the Lord confronted Simon and entrusted him with a precise directive: "He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love Me?' And he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed My sheep.'"  -John 21:17 I can relate to Simon Peter because - though I haven't verbally denied knowing Christ - I have, at times, denied knowing Him through my silence, unsavory language, and actions or lack thereof.  You see, friends, many years ago the Lord had entrusted me with a ministry:  Narrow Road - a band that played rock music with a mission to spread the good news of Christ's salvation and abundant life.    Much like Simon Peter, I had taken my eyes off of Christ at various intervals along the way, and as a result, my actions, attitude and lack of sharing my faith gave little evidence, if any, that I have a relationship with the Living God. Retrospectively speaking, I see that young man I once was - the man I was just a passing season ago - and I don't like him.  Thankfully, just like Christ had compassion on Peter, He has also had compassion on me.  He hasn't let me go.   I love the Lord Jesus; I am not ashamed of Him, and I wish to be a better caretaker with what He has entrusted me with.  That's really the main purpose of this blog:  To share my faith with any who may pass by this way. A verse of scripture hit me not too long ago which really spoke to me: "But Jesus said to him, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.'”  -Luke 9:62 It's a good thing that I'm no longer the poor caretaker with my faith and life that I used to be, but I can't keep looking behind in regret.  I'm not supposed to.  The Lord would have me look ahead and keep plugging away for Him and in Him, for then I'm fit for His kingdom.  Now, I'm fit for His kingdom. Hey, nobody's perfect, I understand this.  All the more reason why I need Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  And, granted, life often gives us a one-two punch in various forms such as: losing a loved one, divorce, career change, etc... All are things which often cause us to lose focus.  Yet again, those are also times when we need Jesus - the solid Rock. Well, the good news is:  If you're a little like me and blunder things up from time to time, Jesus has compassion on us, just as He did for Simon Peter.  Again, I'm so thankful for the stories about Peter in the Bible - It gives me hope and an opportunity to do/be better the next time.  The narrow road has always been Jesus; the narrow road will always be Jesus, and the off-the-beaten path to the kingdom awaits anyone who would rise up and walk (Matthew 7: 13 - 14). Amen. <><+><> As iron sharpens iron, - K -