What would you do if you were plummeting to your death from a
high-rise building? Would you look towards heaven with hope, or would
your eyes be on the fast-approaching ground below?
No matter
what, we look at something. Just ask the poor window cleaner when he
fell six stories from a Wellington building in New Zealand on July 1,
2011. Or ask his boss, who watched the whole accident with a look of
terror in his eyes. And that terror increased as the window cleaner's
fall lined him up directly in the path of a car!
But he truly had
nothing to fear. Yes, he fell pretty hard, partly on the ground and
partly on the parked vehicle, and yes, it did hurt!
I can imagine
that the owner had stopped looking by this time, scared death to open
his eyes. But when he did, he was amazed to find the window cleaner
still alive, and after a thorough check-up by the paramedicals, it was
confirmed that his only injury was a dislocated toe. Not bad after a
six-story fall! Hopefully this window cleaner will be a bit less daring
when cleaning windows in the future!
Imagine the shame in the
eyes of Peter, Jesus' apostle, right after he had renounced his Master,
not just once or twice, but three times! Right then, as the rooster
crowed, Jesus "turned and looked straight at Peter." (Luke 22:60 NIV)
Oh that look must have been devastating! He had renounced the One he
truly loved, and now that very person was looking at him with eyes
filled with sheer--compassion!
Just hours before, Peter had
boasted: "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." (Matt
26:33 NIV), yet barely seconds before that look, he had vehemently
exclaimed: "I don't know the man!" (Matt 26:72 NIV)
No wonder "he
went outside and wept bitterly." (Luke 22:62 NIV). He had betrayed
everything he stood for. No wonder that his original name was Simon
which implied "weak or fickle". Who could rely on such a failure?
Jesus, however, insisted on calling Simon "Peter", which means
"rock". He went far beyond what others saw in Simon! The truth is that
only Jesus, Simon's Master, could make a Peter out of Simon. True
greatness can only come via the road of brokenness. In order for any of
us to be able to shine as God wants us to shine, we need to experience
total brokenness as well!
Look at Simon after resurrection day (R
day). Just like the window cleaner realized that there were limits to
being a dare-devil, Peter was a different man, aware of his own
weaknesses. He was still broken, but he was restored when Jesus talked
to him directly, letting him know in no uncertain terms that He had
great plans for him (See John 21: 15-19).
And shine he did on
Pentecost day (P Day) where he witnessed about the Risen One. "Those who
accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added
to their number that day." (Acts 2:41 NIV)
If you do feel empty
inside and unfulfilled, maybe it's time to let yourself go and let God
come into your life. Remember greatness can only come through
brokenness, for we can truly never be blessed with our hands full.
Empty-handed we are ready to receive the gifts promised to us from
above.
May our eyes always be geared towards heaven, no matter
our circumstances.
Rob Chaffart
The Look. Broken for Revival, Part 5
Today's Bible Verse:
"The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter
remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: 'Before the rooster
crows today, you will disown me three times.'" (Luke 22:61)
The Look. Broken for Revival, Part 5
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carrying out the Great Commission: Matt 28:18-20: "Then Jesus came to
them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to
me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am
with you always, to the very end of the age.'" (NIV)
The time is
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