From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God."
John 6:66-69 [NIV]
I'm sure we are all tempted at some time to give up at something. Maybe it is a diet, learning a new skill or helping a difficult person. Perhaps it is a valid response with other pressures in your life, but often it our own lack of vision or laziness, embarrassment or hurt. This was typified by Catherine Tate's comic character Lauren Cooper, whose catchphrase was "Am I bovvered?"
In his book "Fathered by God" John Eldredge talks about the warrior phase that young men go through. Nurtured by play-fights with Dad, being trusted to do adult jobs, heading out on your own to explore the world are important steps in developing that fighting spirit. "Our God is a warrior, because there are certain things in life worth fighting for" says Eldredge, "and we are made in His image". Simple words, but very profound. Unless we develop that fire in our belly, we will capitulate.
I love Peter's response to Jesus when many disciples were leaving because of Jesus' difficult teaching. He gives a response of faith and hope that has developed from knowing Jesus. Jesus offers the disciples the chance to give up, not what you might expect from God's son to the future founders of the church. But Peter knows where his motivation comes from. "You have the words of eternal life" he says. That is the true fire in your belly that will keep you motivated and alive. That's what I want –to know Jesus, and his words of eternal life.
Jon Seaton
No comments:
Post a Comment