John Chapter 21: Verses 20-22 (NIV)
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
Peter had just had an intimate conversation with Jesus. He had been given the commission to feed Jesus’ flock – future believers who would want to learn about, and follow Jesus for themselves. Yet as soon as Peter turned around and saw John, he wanted to know how things were going to work out for him. As Nicky Gumbel puts it in today’s reading in the “Bible in One Year”, Jesus told Peter very politely to mind his own business and focus on following Jesus for himself, doing the work Jesus had given him to do.
It’s so easy for us to lose our focus when we get too caught up with what God is doing in other people and in other churches. That’s when we can become jealous or discouraged if we think they’re doing better than us. But we don’t know always know their whole story, and we don’t need to. We all have individual journeys to travel and that’s what Jesus expects us to focus on. He’ll always show us the way to go as we go through life, but He will never reveal to us the road He has planned for anyone else. We have quite enough to contend with on our own journey!
Dear Lord
Too often we cast our eye on what someone else is involved in, and then we get distracted. Help me keep my focus on You and the plans You have for me. Help me to leave others in Your hands. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.