You, Interrupted

Every Wednesday we’ll post something to do with doctrine and recovery. Hope it helps.

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You, Interrupted

And when Jesus beheld him, He said, ‘Thou art Simon the son of Jonah: thou shalt be called Cephas’ which is by interpretation, A stone. -John 1:42

Think you know yourself? You do, I’m sure, as much as your limited experience, intellect and perspective will allow. But in this, as in all matters of human understanding, it’s through a glass darkly, partial and obscured, incomplete. (I Corinthians 13:12)

Because you, as seen by Him, are so much more. Paul said “Ye are complete in Him” (Colossians 2:10) and that those foreknown by Him are justified, sanctified and glorified (Romans 8:29-30), comfortably seated at His right hand in heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:6) You might not know it to look at yourself, but, in fact, you really are something.

So said Jesus to Peter in a fascinating conversation, their first of many, in which the Lord looked on His soon to be follower, called him by his given family name (Simon bar Jonah) then announced his re-christening: “You shall be called a Rock.” Translation: You see what you are now; I see what you’ll become in Me, and the contrast is breathtaking. Just you wait.

This is our Creator’s prerogative and, apparently, His joy. He interrupts a life, announces a new direction, and bestows a new name in line with the new course. Just ask Abram, renamed Abraham, Father of Many, in sharp contrast to his age and, indeed, to biology itself. Or Jacob the heel catcher, scheming and sneaky, renamed Israel, a retired wrestler of angels now, as his name declared, proof that “God prevails.” We were known before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) predestined, separated and dedicated to Him by divine appointment. In short, you’re seen not only as you are, but as you will be.

First things first, for sure. Unredeemed, we’re utterly lost. Born again, we ‘re new creatures who still struggle and grow, so to recognize God’s view of the finished product is not to deny His view of the current sin and weaknesses needing correction. When Jesus wrote to the seven churches in the Revelation, He repeatedly used the phrase “I have somewhat against thee”, and to hear that from Him is no joke. When He says “repent” and “correct” He’s not making suggestions. Even so, the Corrector, fashioning His follower into the desired result, sees a finished product as surely as He sees its current defects.

So when He began restoring me 28 years ago, I heard one night a still small voice saying I will take a broken child and make him into a warrior. Cracked me up, actually – I remember laughing out loud, no doubt the way Sarah did when she heard she’d have children in her old age. I was depressed, grieving over sin, a backslidden failure, lonely with no direction and nothing coming close to hope in my life. I just wasn’t warrior material; the few good men they’re looking for didn’t include me. My wildest fantasies wouldn’t have envisioned the opportunities that would come with time, and while warrior still isn’t a word I’d apply to myself, if He slaps that label on me I’ll certainly not shrug it off.

Neither should you. Jesus said, “No one comes to me unless the Father who has sent me draws Him.” (John 6:44) That’s you, interrupted. The Father who sent Him drew you, redeemed you, fashions you and sees you now and, since He’s surely not bound by time and space, complete in Him as well.

So Jesus said “Peace give I to you.” (John 14:27) Why not? He’s the Prince of Peace. But He’s also the One who sees the end of your earthly road. If His servant Paul could say he’s “confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6) then how much more will Christ Himself hold that confidence in His own ability to complete what He started in you? And, knowing the outcome despite the ups and downs you no doubt experience, the Potter who fashions, the Shepherd who guides, the Omniscient who foreknows, can quite peacefully and authoritatively say:

“You shall be called —”

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