The Following of Obedience

How many times do you suppose a parent of one or more children has ever said “Don’t worry about your brother or sister – you just do what I have asked of you?” Most likely several times and there will be many more to come. I have had to tell each of my children at different times to not concern themselves with what is going on with their siblings- that they just needed to concentrate on what was expected of them and what I was telling them to do.

In John 21:18-22, we read how Jesus also had this same conversation with Peter. The verses start by telling us what Jesus was saying to Peter in verse 18 which was “Very truly I tell you, when you were younger, you dressed yourself, and went where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you, and lead you where do you do not want to go" The reason Jesus said this was to let Peter know how he was going to die which would, in fact, bring glory to God. Then He said, "Follow Me!" to him. Peter then saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them- the same disciple that had leaned on Jesus' breast at the last supper and asked who it was that would betray him. Peter then upon seeing him asked "Lord, and what about this man?" Jesus said "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!" 

Twice in the story, Jesus tells Peter to follow Him. One right after He tells him how his death will glorify God, and the second after He tells him to not concern himself with the fate of someone else. Jesus was saying something like "Peter, quit worrying about John and what I have planned for him. You stay focused on Me and what I have asked of you. Quit worrying about others and focus on your own life."

You must allow Peter though some room for wondering. Here he just was informed about his death which doesn’t normally happen to most people, most of us do not know how we will die. To also find out that your death would be so difficult would be hard to swallow. Then to see the one whom Jesus loved. Peter just couldn’t help but ask about his fate as well- and perhaps we would have reacted the same way.

However, Jesus quickly put Peter in his place and I believe Peter from that point on said nothing more about it.

Each of us has so many things on our plates that to even concern ourselves with someone else is wrong. It's not for us to concern ourselves with others, because that is God's business and besides it not even healthy. I know for me I have so much going on in my own life, that I cannot seem to keep it all straight and for me to worry about the next guy would be too much for me to handle. There are those times though when I find myself starting to think about others and then I realize that it is none of my business and counterproductive to things that I need to take care of. All God requires of me and all of us is to be 100% focused on Him, and what He has in mind for us to accomplish and that's it. Yes, we are to help, be there for others, and minister to them, but to worry ourselves with the affairs of others is not our place.

What we need to remember is God is big enough to handle all things all the time. For me, the mission in my life is to be in daily communion with God and be the best person I can with His help. To do what He has called me to do and do it to the best of my ability. I still have work to do in this area of my life, but I am much better at it than I used to be. I know I do not need to look to the left or right of me, all I need to do is look straight ahead at the path He has laid out for me, and then be willing to do it. The same is true for all of us- we all need to focus our attention on what God is asking and saying to us and us only. To just be obedient to what He is requiring of us and let Him handle the rest. For us to do just as Jesus told Peter to do day—and that is "Follow Me!"

From Gardens of Splendor by Gina Burns