Pay Attention

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren (Luke 22:31 -32).

Disappointedly, as believers we are often distracted from our purpose, principles and plan. Consequently, we lose focus and sometimes faith. The bible gives us several examples of servants of God who lost their way. Lacking concentration, Abraham lost purpose to Hagar. David compromised his principles with Uriah's wife; and Peter almost failed when he put at risk the plan of God to chase greatness.

At the last supper Peter and the other disciples got into an intense discussion about who would be the greatest servant (or who would have the greatest ministry). This greatness they were seeking was unlike the greatness Christ described in the book of John.

When Jesus told the boys they would do greater things the greatness of which He spoke was Godly service for God's glory. In contrast, the greatness Peter and the disciples were warring over was for personal glory. As a matter of fact it was similar to the world's greatness. Jesus called it the Gentiles’ greatness (Luke 22:25). This is the greatness of those who seek to Lord themselves over others. It is a greatness predicated upon competition, comparison and compromise. This greatness cannot exist unless it is better than someone or something else.

Even now, the Kingdom is laden and burden with competitors and seekers of personal glory. Sadly, people of faith are still striving for worldly greatness. Every congregation wants to be the biggest and best. Preachers chasing superiority attempt to outdo each other. And the church has borrowed the concepts of the world and tried to make them spiritual. Servants of God are classified as celebrities. Church leaders are no longer pastors but CEOs, and church goers are now partners rather than members. Simply, the church and God's people have lost touch with Godliness.

No wonder Jesus spoke with such strong emphasis to Peter. "Simon, Simon I need you to pay attention to (or behold) this." Stop striving for greatness and look at this. Satan is trying to get you. Watch out for temptations: those things you like and want;trials: the struggles that can frustrate the soul; and transitions: those times when things are delayed and don’t come as quickly as you desire. Satan will try and use temptations to get you to give in, trials to get you to give out, and transitions to get you to give up, but you need to stay focused on the thing that matters. “Now, Peter (Jesus assures him in verse 32) the devil will never get you because I prayed for you.”

Point of clarity, the “you” in verse 31 is plural. Meaning the Devil wanted all of them. But the “you” in verse 32 is singular. Meaning Jesus prayed specifically for Peter because he was the main influencer. He was to be the initial head of the church that would strengthen the brothers and sisters. Jesus not only prayed for Peter, but he also prophesied over him. Notice that he did not say if you are converted, but whenyou are converted. Plainly, it is going to happen: you will come through your time of testing and your faith will not fail. You will be able to handle the process.

The upshot is that we, like Peter, must pay attention. We cannot get distracted. We have been prayed for and prophesied over: we will bless many. We will be able to help and strengthen others with our testimony as long as we hang onto our faith and our focus.

Prayer: Lord I am prone to wander, prone to leave the God I love. But thank you for always interceding for me and protecting me when I can't watch out for myself. Keep my eyes on you and never let me wander to things or people who are not like you, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God's Peace and Good Journey!
+t. anthony bronner