Ever postponed reading for an exam until the last night before the exam, only for a blackout on the eve of the exams, no charge for your phone, and no notes as a backup? If something can explain hell explicitly for a student, this will do. What pain we feel when the time we always thought we had elapses. In this article we shall liken the lack of preparedness in real life with lack of intimacy with the Master.
Some of us would pray for the exams to be postponed or, worse still, for something terrible to happen to the lecturer or just something out of the ordinary to stop the exams because no one wants to face something unprepared. If you are like me, I hate tests and exams. I told you I got the concept; why do I have to waste my time and yours trying to test me? Don’t you trust me?
He was among the first people to be chosen to join the fold. He was sanguine of the whole team. According to Simon Peter, he loved Jesus the most. The man who answered the question, Who do you say I am? He knew his Master.
Simon Peter was his new name, the rock on which the church of Christ would be built. It was a real privilege. After asking what it was for them because they had left everything to follow the Master, He said they’ll get more here and life eternal. He was among the inner circle of Jesus because Christ went with Peter to pray in the hour of need.
Then came this dreadful day, the Master had spoken of it several times, but no one heard or understood what He was talking about. When He finally explained to them during the breaking of Bread, Peter did not want to hear any of it. How can Jesus say such a thing? Especially now that they were becoming popular. What Peter said needed to be corrected. It wasn’t from God. That’s why he started carrying a knife. They would have to kill him before they got hold of His Lord. Maybe he had carried it even earlier.
Facing Our True Character During a ‘Blackout’
Seeing the soldiers coming to take Him, Peter could only think of killing someone. Anyone that got so near as ten feet towards the Lord would die, every teaching he had had for the three years didn’t matter at this time. (Sounds to me like the time when you’re seated in the exam room, only for your mind to format everything)
Peter forgot about all the miracles his Master had performed. He forgot that He had once called Him the Son of God and that Christ had walked on water. Peter thought his might would keep the Master alive, his effort. He didn’t even repent when he cut off that man’s ear, but He got confused about everything when the Master restored the ear.
Two cannot walk together unless they agree, and he knew they had different opinions there, so he followed the Master from a distance. He still loved Him. After that, things go very fast. One minute he is sitting with some guys by the fire, then a lady comes and says he was with the Master, but he denies that(let’s not forget that Peter was a sanguine, at least in my head, he is), actually thrice, the Cock crows and that’s that. Things couldn’t get any worse.
His Master is crucified with thieves on either side and with Him goes all the hopes Peter had of becoming something greater than just the fisherman. And what was that Kingdom He kept on speaking about? Talk of a total blackout in the life of a full-grown man. Judas had killed himself because he couldn’t stand it anymore. It could be Simon just feared death. He loved himself too much.
We always know when a blackout is coming, when life requires our reservoir, and if we are empty wells. That’s too bad because that is what we will give out, total emptiness. The bad thing about being in a dark place is that we come face to face with ourselves, who we are, and our true character.
Reputation can play well from the outside but not in your room, with yourself as your judge. It shows you the places you have been applying too much makeup, the place where you are all dirty and needs working on. It shows you the acts of service won’t help much if your heart is not right and that you’re either right with God or not.
The limelight has a way of giving us a facade of stuff. Especially if you’re an extrovert, introverts too can have a false sense of themselves. Just because you’re too quiet does not mean your thoughts are cool and collected. It can lie to us.
The Limelight’s Deception and the Importance of Knowing the Master
Having a position in the church and “working for the Lord” can make us run away from ourselves and what needs to be done within ourselves. Being an Usher at church can make you pass up praying or devotions to avoid being late. However, when the lights go off, we might find eggshells of ourselves, and we might honestly say, ” I do not know Him.” What a sad place to find ourselves.
Glory to God because He is the only one that can get to humble us without ever humiliating us. In this dark season we are in, let’s get acquainted with the Master. In this dark season when we cannot do much “service,” let us become, build our muscles, and get to do things for the Lord from a place of knowing Him. In this dark season, when you’re not required to have an opening verse as the praise team leader, let’s open that book and get to know the Master.
Let this blackout be only an outside thing, but let the inward spark shine even brighter. Let’s allow Him to convict us of sin and let us do away with being too familiar with Him. Let Him give us a name that comes from the revelation of knowing who He is because we can know Him at one time and truly not know Him at the next.
It gets darkest when Dawn approaches, just like at the Cross when He gave up His life. This dark cloud shall pass, but let it be the best time of our lives.
So as we remember His Crucifixion, let us also be crucified with Him. Surrender all the physical weapons we have carried along in spiritual warfare. Take to the Cross the sin that easily entangles. May we take to the Cross every thought, idea, myth, misconception, and habit that has raised itself above the knowledge of Christ
The blackout is here with us; what we do with it is up to us. The results depend on how you took it. The death of Jesus left two men, Peter and Judas, in a difficult place. One said He didn’t know Him, and the other acknowledged knowing Him. One died while the other gave His first sermon and was burning for Him. The lights are coming up, the light will come up, and we will all see.
The greater joy knows that the light will come, that you are that light, the light of the world, a city on a Hill that cannot be Hidden.
We are No longer living on the sidelines or just doing things in the limelight. However, we are what we say and do in the light as in the dark. We understand the Cross was a cost, and we rise as we die with Him.
Wow this is deep girl.Always blessed and edified by your write-ups. You are blessed.keep writing
Thank you so much Jane, your words of comfort make me wanna be more for the kingdom
Awesome read. My time to this is really worth it. And in loving the revelations coming with this period. May I also come out with something new out of this blackout. I am the light of the world. More grace girl and keep writing about Christ.
Yes Mercy, may this blackout make us shine even brighter
Thank you for your time
Great piece.
It edifies the soul
Am so glad that it did edify… God bless
Thankyou for sharing Such wisdom and enlightening thoughts.
Stay Blessed
Thanks a lot Karinge
Great insights here. This has triggered alot of reflection in me. I’m struck by this portion of the piece where you address Peter’s reaction (Afraid of the uncertain and wants to use his efforts to stop it)when the blackout falls and His attitude (burning to make Christ known). May God help us to exercise our faith when we are really needed to rather than abandoning it and seeking other quick fixes. Indeed your hands are held by a skillful writer. Continue being productive and effective in His vineyard for His glory
Wow… Thank you so much Martha
Your words of insight, make me want to excel and write even more.. God bless you dear
That’s a good read right there! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Esther… Thank you for taking your time to read
I couldn’t lift my finger off the screen untill the end. It was amazing, relatable and full of fascinating insights
Thank you so much Erica, am glad it captivated you that much, glory to God
Haven’t read an eye opening article like this before, this is awesome…..Keep up the good work
Wow… Thank you so much Jay, am glad it was an eye opener, more is yet to come
I have just finally got to read this and I am s moved by it! What a good Word in due season! Thank you so much for sharing! Bless you!!!
Wow… Thank you so much Mum… This is encourage
Thank you, Sifa, for this.
It is such an uplifting read!
Thank you for taking your time to read
Like!! I blog frequently and I really thank you for your content. The article has truly peaked my interest.
Thank you