Have you ever made a statement or declaration  but then acted differently than you had planned?  The Apostle Peter faced that  situation.  In the upper room Jesus said to His disciples,

Little children, I am with you a little while longer.  You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you,  Where I am going, you cannot come.  (John 13:33)

Peter was confused, why would his teacher say that He would leave them?  Peter was determined to stay with Jesus regardless of the circumstances,

Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now?  I will lay down my life for You.”  (John 13:37)

Peter made a bold statement, ” I will lay down my life for You.”  He was sincere but simplistic in his understanding.  You will experience situations when you don’t understand your circumstances.  Peter did not understand the situation but Jesus completely understood what would transpire.  When you encounter a situation you don’t understand you must entrust yourself to God and believe that He knows best.  He is God and you’re not so it’s to be expected that you won’t understand all that He is doing.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Peter not only did not understand the situation, but Peter did not understand himself.  Peter thought his idea was better than Jesus’ plan.

My dog for example,  doesn’t understand why he needs to go to the vet, but I know that it’s for his good.  Do you know the difference between a cat and dog?  You feed a dog  and take care of the dog and the dog thinks, “Wow, this person must be God.”  You feed a cat and take care of the cat and the cat thinks, “Wow, I must be God.”  Peter needed a healthy dose of humility, he needed to realize that Jesus knew what was best.

There are times in your life when you are sincere, but your response may be simplistic.  You may not understand God’s plan and you may not understand your limitations.  You must remember:

1.  God knows what He’s doing and you can trust His leading,

Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.  (1 Peter 4:19)

2.  You must realize your fallibility.   We need a healthy dose of humility,

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.  (1 Corinthians 10:12)

It’s good to be sincere in your convictions but don’t be simplistic in your response.  King Solomon sums up the attitude we need as we  keep our eyes on Him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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