Some of my favorite places are on Minnesota lakes. The solitude, the calmness, and the clear water bring a simple joy to my heart. I had one of those joyful moments not too long ago as I set out in canoes with some friends before sunset.
The Sea of Galilee must be a spectacular sight. Also known as the Lake of Gennesaret, it’s the lowest freshwater lake on earth and is fed both by underwater springs and the Jordan river. Peter, the one who we know as both a fearful disciple and a bold apostle, spent hours on this lake, pulling in loads of tilapia.
Nets, bait, boats. A knife for cutting the net and cleaning fish. These were probably the typical tools of a fisherman from Galilee. But on the night that Jesus was betrayed, Peter wasn’t carrying his fishing gear.
“Then Simon Peter, who had a sword…” (John 18:10)
This fisherman had made a strong promise to Jesus just a few hours before the confrontation in the Garden: He would lay his life down for Jesus and His cause. He was willing to give it all. But we see that He brought a sword – just in case.
Just like Peter, we often have a contingency plan. We have a backup, just in case it really does get dangerous. We have a commitment to the cause of the Kingdom, but there’s one little loophole: our commitment to safety. “I’ll follow you to death… but I’ll bring a sword just in case it gets to that point.”
Jesus’ response to the drawing of Peter’s sword: “Put away your defense.” The Father was more than able to keep Jesus from these men, and to protect the disciples from harm. But the Father’s first priority wasn’t their physical protection – it was the fulfillment of His purpose.
Jesus knew that He was on earth for a purpose. “My perfect intimacy with the Father leads to nothing less than perfect obedience to His will.” Peter hadn’t experienced this level of intimacy or trust in the Father’s sovereignty in the way Jesus did: “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (18:11).
If I ever have a level of commitment beyond my level of trust, I’m bound to miss the mark. I want to develop my trust to the point that whatever He asks me to do, I will be able to say with full confidence that I can leave my sword behind and follow Him with uncompromised trust.
We all can TRUST our Father.
While I agree that we shouldn’t let our level of commitment exceed our level of trust, I am also going to share that I believe God to be “Both/And” and not “Either/Or.”
In this world, we often think in either/or terms – Either I trust God OR I create a back up plan “just in case,” however, I feel that since God is “out of this world,” He often calls us to do BOTH, AND Trust Him ultimately. It would be like not praying for lost souls because God is ultimately going to save those He is going to save (Either God is All Knowing OR I need to remind him). It seems we have a role to play. So please Trust and Plan back-ups AND Know that God is in control. ~ Thoughts from a Follower.