Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

---

Read

Mark 14:26-31 (NRSV)

When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters; for it is written,

‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’

But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though all become deserters, I will not.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said vehemently, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And all of them said the same.

---

Reflect

When Jesus told Peter that he would deny him, Peter answered that he would not even if all the others did. Then, Peter did exactly as Jesus said he would. This must have been a very troubling time for Peter. Being a person who has to have a plan, many times I have thought, said, and planned on handling life’s events in a certain way. However, when those events actually took place, I did not react the way I thought I would. Jesus tried to tell the disciples what was going to happen so that they would be prepared, but each disciple thought he was in control of the situation.

Sometimes change brings out the very best in us, and sometimes it causes us to stumble and fall. When we feel as if life is spinning out of control, God is in control. Comfort can be found in knowing that Jesus died for our sins and knows where our hearts truly lie.

---

Pray

Lord, help me to recognize when my own need to control gets in the way of the plans you have for me. Open my ears, heart, and mind so that I may fully understand my purpose and not just my own will. Amen.

Go with God.