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Different personalities. Different strengths. Different struggles. One extraordinary calling. This is the first story in our series about the disciples and what their lives can teach us today.
I've been thinking about the twelve disciples lately. And something occurred to me. These guys were all over the place when it came to personalities.
Some were outspoken. Some were quieter. Some asked questions. Some seemed perfectly comfortable taking the lead. And then there was Peter.
I think I would've liked Peter. Now, I'm not sure I would've wanted to go into business with him. I have a feeling we'd have started about six projects before lunch and then wondered who was supposed to finish them.
But I like the guy. He was enthusiastic. Passionate. Willing to jump in. And sometimes, well, he jumped before he looked. I can relate to that more than I'd probably care to admit.
Jesus didn't accidentally choose Peter. He knew his personality, his strengths, his weaknesses, and even the mistakes he was going to make. And He called him anyway.
So what can we learn from Peter about the way God might use the personalities and abilities He's given each of us?
The Guy Who Got Out of the Boat
In Matthew 14, the disciples are out on the Sea of Galilee at night. The wind is blowing, the waves are beating against the boat, and Jesus comes walking toward them on the water.
I don't know about you, but if I'm in a boat in the middle of the night and somebody comes walking across the lake, I've got a few questions.
Peter says, “Lord, if it's you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus tells him to come. So Peter gets out of the boat.
Of course, he sees the wind, becomes afraid, and starts sinking. Jesus reaches out and catches him. We often focus on Peter taking his eyes off Jesus, and rightly so. But Peter also got out of the boat.
Faith isn't recklessness. And caution isn't always wisdom. Peter didn't just decide to go for a swim. He asked Jesus to call him, and Jesus said, “Come.” That's an important detail.
The Guy Who Made Big Promises
In Luke 22, Peter tells Jesus he's ready to go with Him to prison and even to death. I believe Peter meant it. But later that night, he denied knowing Jesus three times.
When the rooster crowed, Peter remembered what Jesus had told him and went outside and wept bitterly.
Have you ever been absolutely certain how you'd handle a situation? Maybe you told yourself you'd never lose your temper with your kids. Or never let work interfere with your marriage. And then life happened.
I know I've had moments when my intentions were a whole lot better than my follow-through. Peter's enthusiasm was real. His love for Jesus was real. But so was his weakness.
Jesus Wasn't Finished With Him
After the resurrection, Jesus has a conversation with Peter beside the Sea of Galilee in John 21. Three times Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him. And three times Peter answers. Jesus calls Peter to care for His sheep.
Peter had failed publicly and painfully. And Jesus wasn't finished with him. He wasn't pretending the failure hadn't happened. He was calling Peter forward into a life of loving and serving Him.
Peter didn't just need more confidence. He needed to learn that following Jesus wasn't about how strong Peter thought he was. It was about trusting Jesus, even when Peter discovered how weak he could be.
So What Does That Have to Do With Us?
Maybe you're the kind of person who sees something that needs to be done and immediately wants to do something about it. You have ideas. You see possibilities. You get excited. Sometimes people appreciate that. And sometimes they're probably wishing you'd sit down for five minutes.
But maybe that's part of how God has equipped you to serve others. Not the impatience. Not running ahead without thinking. But the willingness to act, the courage to take initiative, the ability to get people moving when everybody else is still discussing whether something should be done.
In Acts 2, after the Holy Spirit comes upon the believers at Pentecost, Peter stands up and addresses the crowd. About three thousand people receive his message and are baptized that day.
That wasn't simply Peter finally learning to use his personality. It was the work of the Holy Spirit. Peter didn't have to become Andrew or John. He needed to follow Jesus and depend on the Spirit. And so do we.
What Comes Naturally to You?
Maybe you're comfortable starting conversations with strangers. Maybe you're good at organizing people. Maybe you notice problems and start thinking about solutions. Maybe you're willing to try something new when everybody else is hesitant.
Those things aren't automatically spiritual gifts. But they may be abilities God can use as you follow Him. First Corinthians 12 reminds us that God arranged the members of the body as He chose. Different people. Different functions. One body.
We're supposed to use what we've been given to serve one another. Not compete. Not compare. Serve.
One Thing to Do This Week
If you recognize a little Peter in yourself, find one opportunity this week to use your willingness to act for somebody else's good.
Maybe you've been thinking about calling someone who's going through a difficult time. Call them. Maybe you've noticed a need at church or in your neighborhood. Ask how you can help.
But before you jump in, stop and pray. Ask God for wisdom. Make sure you're acting out of love rather than just excitement. Then, if it's the right thing to do, do it.
You don't need a microphone, a ministry title, or a big audience. Sometimes following Jesus looks like one ordinary person taking the initiative to love another ordinary person.
Before You Go
Peter's story isn't really about how wonderful Peter was. It's about how patient and faithful Jesus was. Peter was bold, but he was also afraid. He made promises, and he broke them. He stepped out in faith, and he sank. And Jesus kept working in his life.
Jesus isn't simply interested in making us more effective versions of ourselves. He's making us more like Him. And that's a much better goal.
Until next time, find somebody to encourage. You never know what God might do with one simple act of obedience.
Read along: Matthew 14:22–33; Luke 22:31–34, 54–62; John 21:15–19; Acts 2:14–41; 1 Corinthians 12.
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