This past weekend I was meeting up with a brother for a ride and some ice cream.
As we ate, the sky kept darkening, you could almost feel the rain coming. Then, sure enough, it started to sprinkle some as we both headed home in opposite directions.
The slight rain felt good, it was a hot day. It looked like I was going to avoid the worst of it. But then, right as I was stopped at the last traffic light between me and home, the sky opened up and I got soaked.
A text later from my riding partner said it started pouring at his house too.
Ten minutes after he got home.
So, I got soaked, and he stayed dry.
Why is that? Why did the same God that seemed to hold off the rain for him, not do the same for me?
Reading the end of the Gospel of John where Peter is told he will die for the Lord.
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, 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." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"
Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." John 21:18-22 (NIV)
Not everyone's life is the same. The lesson here is (as preacher Mike would say) simple but hard. We don't always get to understand why God will intercede on behalf of one and not the other. And often this is harder than simply getting rained on.
But, the words of Jesus ring as true to us today as they did to Peter. To live a life for Christ is to live with some questions unanswered.
"You must follow me" - Jesus
Do we have to have all the answers before we'll follow?
