'Over' zealous

Matthew 26 : 14 - 25

Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you

I observed a couple of ants on the floor the other day. I saw the ants struggling with something black and on closer observation it was a raisin. I had just eaten a piece of raisin toast and one raisin must have dropped on the floor. The ants were fully engrossed in their task, dragging with great enthusiasm the piece of dried fruit. I followed their movements until they disappeared somewhere into the garden earth nearby. They certainly labored hard, and finally succeeded in their task.

Disciples of the Lord are also to labor hard and to persist. This was well known to Peter and it is well known to us today. However, we hear Jesus slowing Peter down.....no it was not time for him to do great deeds for his Lord. Peter had to learn that laboring for the Lord is not something one chooses to do even if it is with great zeal. The reverse is true...it is something the Lord calls forth from a person, in the Lord's way and time. As we know, this was a hard lesson for Peter the 'over' zealous and impetuous one, to learn. Surely he was committed to his Lord, perhaps even more than the others....and yet the Lord did not want from him what he (Peter) chose but what the Lord would graciously choose for him.

I don't think many of us could be as magnanimous as to promise the same as Peter did. For us, it might be the zeal of our desired ministry and certain gifts and talents that we wish to exercise for the Lord. It takes a deeply maturing faith to wait and ask the Lord what he wants from us and to offer him that with humility and dependence upon his grace, even if it is not what we wished to give him. There is always a risk that committed disciples may grow 'over' zealous, to walk ahead of the Lord in their desire to give of themselves. There is room for waiting, for a slower pace in order to listen carefully and discern the Lord's signs and leading. The way of the Cross was not a moment's decision for Jesus. It took a number of years of walking faithfully, attuned to his Father, abiding his timing, for Jesus to prepare for the ultimate goal of his mission.