I am a planner. I love to plan and then execute the plan. It makes me so happy to sit down at the beginning of every week and plan the week, fit all the puzzle pieces in the plan.
Sometimes the week goes according to schedule. Most of the time, I have to make many adjustments along the way due to unforeseen interruptions.
As I was reading this morning, I was struck by the fact that as Jesus was preparing to go the cross, he made a plan to see His disciples again. He told them He would see them again in Galilee even though He knew that they were about to encounter great difficulty and fall away.
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “you will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “ Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. – Matthew 26:30-35
Jesus knew they would fall away. He knew Peter would too. They didn’t want to. That wasn’t their intention, but He knew they would. But He told them, “I will go before you to Galilee.” He knew they would fall away, yet He told them He would see them again in Galilee. He still wanted to see them again. He told them to plan on it.
I think there is a lot of Peter in me. I have great intentions. I never want to deny Jesus or fail to grow in my relationship with Him or dishonor Him in any way. It is my intention to show up every morning to read my Bible and pray. But I don’t show up sometimes. Or I do show up and I am easily distracted with so many things. So I give up and close my Bible and move on with my day. Unfaithfulness at its finest. Yet Jesus is always faithful. He keeps our date. He loves me and forgives me even when I don’t show up. And He welcomes me back when I do. Who can really understand a love so great?
Oh the wonder of such undeserved grace and love and mercy. May I never take it for granted. I pray it always leaves me in awe and yearning for more. And I pray that I will be faithful to the One who loves me most.