Last week, a friend of mine came to church. She’d been a few times; I was glad to see her.
She sat behind my mom and me.
I couldn’t hear anyone talking; I wondered if anyone even raised their hand. My mom walked out of Church immediately after.
She was speaking to my friend.
I couldn’t hear the words exchanged afterward, but I wondered if my friend felt the same sensation I did during a similar conversation my mom and I had after I chose God.
Today, while walking to class, I listened to the Bible on audio.
As I walked, I came upon a barren tree, surrounded by golden leaves. It took my breath away.
Boom: Simon changed his destiny.
Because he followed Andrew to Jesus, because he was willing to take a chance, to see if this Christ was truly the Messiah, he changed the course of his life.
As soon as Simon came before Christ, He said “You are Simon son of John,” in other words, “Hello, I know exactly who you are.” Then, Jesus said, “You will be called Cephas,” in other words, “I’m calling you by a new name now, not a name given you by man, but by God.
Jesus called Peter by the name that embodied who He would become: the rock on which Jesus would build His Church.
For those of you who have found your identity, be like Andrew, and bring your brothers and sisters to Jesus to allow him to speak over them what you received yourself.
Go to Jesus. Your destiny awaits you.
*I shared the story about my friend (with her permission) because it reveals God’s heart. He speaks a new destiny over ALL of us; offers new life and purpose to ALL of us, continually. God is the same yesterday, today and forever, so the wisdom and desire of Christ to use us and transform us, is just as strong now as ever. Be encouraged in that. Ask for faith to believe that, and then pursue God.