Struggles of an everyday Christian

A while back, God led me to the life of a disciple called Peter I saw how much I personally could relate to him and I believe every believer can.

Studying the life of Peter has taught me a great lesson I would like to share so please follow me closely.

We all know who Paul was before his encounter with God which changed his life Forever, Yes?

But Peter was truly a handful even while being a follower of Christ.

"It's alot of times more difficult to forgive yourself for the funny "unchristian" things you do as a believer because you love God and feel you shouldn't still be struggling with this(may be jealousy for instance) but then you still struggle"

I'll give instances of things Peter did even as a follower of Christ:

1. Cut the ear of a man arresting Jesus, the Jesus that was with him all this while teaching him to love even our enemies. John 18:10

2. Doubted God's ability and began to sink while walking on water. Matthew 14:30

3.Slept while he was supposed to be praying at Gethsemane. Matthew 26:40

4. Peter was also rebuked by Apostle Paul for being hypocritical. Galatians 2:11-14

5. Peter denied Jesus, Yes, 3 good times after confessing undying Love for Jesus before then. Matthew 26:69-75

 

It's more than obvious that Peter was full of such imperfections. 

And if I were Peter as I think I am, full of so many flaws and weaknesses and always asking myself; 

"how God can use me?" 

"Why did he choose me to preach the Gospel?"

When I too struggle with living the word sometimes; I wonder why God still chooses to use me!

Then the Lord again, directs me to Peter; raising Tabitha from the dead, doing the work of ministry, taking Jesus to the world, his shadow healing the sick and writing letters that became part of the Bible, all these while being what you would consider as "imperfect"

I have come to love this man "Peter" because I most times find myself in him (and I think we all do if we look closely) and I have learnt that despite my imperfections, I can still say Yes to God. 

I'm not even nearly what you would call the most perfect Christian.

Sometimes, I get frightened, struggle with ungodly thoughts, say things I shouldn't be saying. 

I trust God but I sometimes panic, some days, I skip Bible study at church and generally I feel unworthy to be loved, much less to be used by God.

God looked at all these and he still chose me and I think what is important is that just like Peter I say "Here I am, use me how you want to

I may not be perfect but I am available to be used, moulded, transformed and conformed to you all the days of my life"

Also important to note is what Peter did after Jesus resurrected.

While in the sea, John recognized Jesus from afar and informed Peter who then jumped into the water and ran desperately to Jesus(John 21:7)

One would think he was not the same person that had just denied Christ but No, he didn't let guilt and condemnation stop him. I have a feeling that after spending so much time with Jesus, he had come to understand the Father's Love and forgiveness.

He just kept running after God while being what the world would call "imperfect".

It is quite easy, maybe even "safe" to believe that God cannot use you because of you have weaknesses and then you make yourself unavailable wallowing in the feeling of "unworthiness"

Peter taught me to always jump in the sea and run towards Jesus because I have a revelation of his Love and Eternal forgiveness made available to me through the cross.

Peter taught me also that despite having weaknesses, the most important thing is being available to God to be used. 

After all, his strength is made perfect in my weaknesses. 

I hope this Post helps us in some way.

Until my next Blog Post, Stay happy!!

Song inspiration-  Follow you by Todd Dulaney