I HAD A DREAM

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, 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 you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (John 21).

This is a portion from the last recorded conversation that Jesus had with Peter. Not only did Jesus reinstate Peter and commission him, but he also spurred Peter to revise his dream. In a challenge that resonates to all who wish to follow Christ, Peter is challenged to look at his life and early discipleship days when he almost managed to do whatever he wished, and revise his dream to one where as a mature disciple he would need to painfully espouse the path of painful obedience wherein he would be required to live and die sacrificially for the Lord.

Every person has a dream. Ideas planted into our minds, at times right from the time when we are young morph into dreams that shape a person’s life. Children talk about what they wish to become when they grow up. At high school, a career path needs to be chosen. Once a person is done with his education, he decides what he wants to do with his life. A dream shapes his life choices and the lifestyle that follows.

Christians often dream of doing things for God and in sincerity declare their desire to achieve great things for God. They also make huge decisions on the spur of the moment without at times waiting to confirm whether it really is what God wants them to do.

There will come moments in the life of a Christian where like with Peter, a challenge is made on his life to undertake a more painful path or a less desirable way. At times the call is to public ministry, at other times it is to get away from the spotlight. Either way, the call will take him out of his comfort zone and plant him in a spot where greater faith is required and the reward will be less worldly and more eternal.

How did Peter respond? He for once, controlled his impulsive nature and agreed to obey. Rather than say, ‘I have a dream’, he was willing to say, ‘I had a dream, now all I wish to do is obey and live for the Lord’. That path took him to be the rock on which the early church was built but that revised dream also took him to finally being martyred for Jesus.

Have you had to revise your dream in your journey of discipleship? Encourage others with your comments.

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