QUICK STEPSಮಾದರಿ

QUICK STEPS

There are a few reasons why I probably will never be an exceptional cook. But the main one is that I avoid any recipe with too many fiddly steps. I either skip ahead and chuck everything together, or I look for a less complicated recipe. Obviously with less spectacular results.

When we first meet Peter in Matthew 4 and Mark 1, we see my favorite type of person. A doer, not a thinker. He saw something good in Jesus and made up his mind without hesitation. “‘Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!’ And they left their nets at once and followed him” (Mark 1:17-18, NLT).

I believe that Peter’s quick-natured temperament was part of why Jesus chose him as a partner during his ministry on earth. But He also knew that the downside of Peter’s personality needed some work. Peter needed to learn to follow seemingly unnecessary steps if he wanted to fulfill his purpose in the best possible way.

In Luke 5, Jesus begins his gentle process of working with Peter. Peter did everything he knew how to do in his job as a fisherman. No extra fiddly steps would change the outcome. We can hear the reluctance in his response when Jesus instructs him to follow a senseless step, going back into the water they had just come from. “‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again’” (Luke 5:5, NLT).

We know the outcome - there were so many fish in Peter’s net that he had to call for help (Luke 5:7). And then we see the worst and best part of being a quick mover. We are just as quick to regret as act on our hasty responses. “When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, ‘Oh Lord, please leave me - I’m such a sinful man’” (v. 8, NLT).

Fortunately, Jesus isn’t intimidated by the people He helped create for a specific purpose. “‘Jesus replied to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!’” (Luke 5:10, NLT).

Join me over the next few days as we allow Jesus to slow us down where we need to follow His steps. “...The prudent carefully consider their steps. The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence” (Proverbs 14:15-16, NLT).