Even When It Doesn’t Make Sense

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During the three years the apostle Peter walked with Jesus throughout Galilee and Judea, the Lord often told him to “Follow Me.” And that’s what Peter did – he kept his eyes on Jesus and followed Him – through storms, through the many encounters with people experiencing overwhelming needs, and even through his extended times away from his family. Time and again he saw Jesus do the miraculous, the completely unexpected, and from an earthly perspective, the unexplainable. But, through it all, he had confidence … because Jesus was right there with him leading each and every step of the way.

Then the time came when Jesus was arrested and crucified, and for two days Peter and the rest of the Savior’s followers didn’t know what to do. Their world had been shaken. The One they had learned to trust and look to was no longer there with them. And even though Jesus had told them what was going to happen, it still didn’t make sense to them. All they could feel was fear, loss … and shame.

But then Jesus rose from the dead. Everything was as it should be – Jesus was back with them! And He had just performed the greatest miracle of all – He had risen from the dead! Nothing would ever be able to defeat Him, and nothing could overwhelm Him.

i would imagine Peter and the others felt pretty invincible that morning as they walked with Jesus along the Galilean shore, and ate the breakfast He had prepared for them. But Jesus kept telling them He was going away again. Times were going to get difficult. Things would again not make any sense to them … and Jesus would not be there physically to lead them. He even told Peter how he was going to die – on a cross, with hands stretched out.(1) And yet, Jesus still said, “Follow Me.”

Jesus gave Peter and the other disciples, as well as each one of us who are His followers, an assignment. We are to “tell people about {Him} everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”(2) Our lives are not about us – our circumstances, the situations we encounter, and the challenges we face are ultimately about Him, His gospel and His glory. Too often, we become so obsessed with what’s happening around us that we lose sight of His purpose – and when we do, nothing makes any sense.

Throughout his time walking with Jesus, Peter repeatedly saw how the Father ordered His Son’s steps according to His perfect timing. Not one encounter was ever random. Not one moment was to be wasted. Not one circumstance was ever unexpected by the Father. The Father had known it all from before the beginning of time. And He had ordered the steps of His Son to fulfill His perfect redemptive plan.

The Father not only ordered the steps of His Son, He has also ordered the steps of His Son’s followers. He ordered Peter’s steps in the work He had prepared for him. Peter was to preach the Good News on the day of Pentecost when 3,000 believed and were baptized. He was to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles. And yet, in the midst of it all, he suffered persecution, imprisonment, beatings and ultimately, crucifixion – all for the sake of the gospel.(3)

Peter’s path was unique – designed just for Peter by the Father – just like ours has been. As we walk in the steps that the Lord has set before each one of us, we will all experience very different circumstances. Some will experience extreme persecution. Some will experience severe health challenges. Some will experience painful losses. Some will experience abundant blessing. Some will experience abundant loss. And in the midst of it all, there will be times that don’t make any sense.

Jesus knew the struggles we would encounter. That’s why He sent His Holy Spirit to abide within us – to accompany us, and to lead us through every step. We may not be able to see Him with our eyes – but He’s just as real … and just as present.

Whatever the path is that He has set before us, we would do well to remember the words of our Savior to Peter – “As for you, follow Me.”(4) Our times are in His hands. Our circumstances are in His hands. Our very lives are in His hands. And He has permitted it all. He has ordered our steps through it all. Heed the words of the prophet Isaiah – “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” – {or even the present!} “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”(5) Our God is in control – and He who began the good work, “will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”(6)

i’ve included the lyrics from the worship song “Spirit, Lead Me” at the end of this post. It is based upon these words from the psalmist:

Teach me to do Your will,
for You are my God!
Let Your good Spirit lead me
on level ground!

For Your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life!

In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!(7)

No matter what we face today … or in the days ahead … let’s remember to do what Jesus told us – let’s continue to follow Him. And as we do, when the things going on around us don’t make any sense, may “Spirit, lead us” be our cry!

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A portion of this post is adapted from Taking Up The Cross, chapter 61, entitled “Our Times Are In His Hands”. This fifth book in the Lessons Learned In The Wilderness series is available through Amazon in print or for your e-reader. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain your copy of the book.

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(1) John 21:18-23 (NLT)

“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow Me.” Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved — the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray You?”Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow Me.” So, the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

(2) Acts 1:8 (NLT)

(3) Acts 5:41

(4) John 21:22 (NLT)

(5) Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

(6) Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

(7) Psalm 143:10-11 (ESV)

Photo by Keoni K. on Lightstock

Spirit, Lead Me

This is my worship, this is my offering
In every moment, I withhold nothing
I'm learning to trust You, even when I can't see it
And even in suffering, I have to believe it

If You say, "It's wrong," then I'll say, "No"
If You say "Release," I'm letting go
If You're in it with me, I'll begin
And when You say to jump, I'm diving in
If You say, "Be still," then I will wait
If You say to trust, I will obey
I don't wanna follow my own ways
I'm done chasing feelings, Spirit lead me
O Spirit lead me

It felt like a burden, but once I could grasp it
You took me further, further than I was asking
And simply to see You
It's worth it all
My life is an altar
Let Your fire fall

If You say, "It's wrong," then I'll say, "No"
If You say, "Release," I'm letting go
If You're in it with me, I'll begin
And when You say to jump, I'm diving in
If You say, "Be still," then I will wait
If You say to trust, I will obey
Teach me how to follow in Your way
I'm done chasing feelings, Spirit lead me

Holy Spirit, lead me

When all hope is gone and Your Word is all I've got
I have to believe, You still bring water from the rock
To satisfy my thirst, to love me at my worst
And even when I don't remember, You remind me of my worth
I don't trust my ways, I'm trading in my faults
I lay down everything 'cause You're all that I want
I've landed on my knees
This is the cup You have for me
And even when it don't make sense

I'm gonna let Your Spirit lead (Spirit lead me)

I'm gonna let Your Spirit lead (Spirit lead me)
I'm gonna let Your Spirit lead (Spirit lead me)
I wanna let Your Spirit lead (Spirit lead me)

Spirit, lead me

If You say, "It's wrong," then I'll say, "No"
If You say, "Release," I'm letting go
If You're in it with me, I'll begin
And when You say to jump, I'm diving in
If You say, "Be still," then I will wait
If You say to trust, I will obey
You're the only Truth, the Life, the Way
I'm done chasing feelings,

Spirit, lead me.

Songwriters:

Michael Barkulis / Melody Noel / Gabriel Wilson / Graham Moore / Whitney Taylor Medina / Michael Ketterer

Spirit Lead Me (Lyrics Video) – Michael Ketterer & Influence Music

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