Just a word for a particular person. This is not what I wanted to write about today but God redirected my thoughts.
And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Matthew 14:26-32.
Hmmm!
Imagine Peter, just because he had the rare privilege of associating with Jesus, had Jesus sent him to go and catch fish to pay their taxes, added with other little assignments Jesus gave him here and there suddenly grew wings and became so ambitious that he wanted to walk on water too, as what now? Peter that has not fasted for forty days and nights. Peter that couldn’t pray all night. Peter that did not know how to discern satan. What effrontery? What audacity? Then the storm came, and Peter couldn’t withstand the storm, he began to sink. Hmmm! That’s a lesson to him and the other boat-sitting disciples to know that walking on water is not for everyone but for an exclusively chosen few. Before anyone can dare the water next time, they should go and ask questions!
The above is the normal thought pattern of an average leader when a protege tries doing what the leader is known for and gets stuck midway. But what did Jesus do?
1. He stretched out His hand to save Peter.
In other words, Peter’s life was more important than his ‘mistake’.
For someone reading this, why would you watch and allow your Peter sink just because you think he didn’t follow your counsel or he’s being unnecessarily ambitious? Please go get him back if he is still redeemable.
2. Jesus criticized Peter’s process not his person or action.
Talking down on someone that’s already feeling bad about his mistake is an attack on the person’s esteem which will becomes counterproductive to the person’s intuitive and proactive capacity. Correct processes but rebuild personalities.
3. Jesus took Peter right back into the boat-a place of safety.
Anyone who has attempted anything of value especially if the steps are contrary to normal procedures and failed is usually vulnerable. Bring your son/daughter, protege or subordinate to a place of safety before releasing the needed discipline
The protege, subordinate or friend you saved today may just be the one you will need somehow tomorrow. If you are somewhat happy that a subordinate failed while attempting to be like you, you have an esteem problem.
Life do turns. Fortune do turns. People do grow. Processes are teachable and learnable. Change still remains a constant!
By the way, don’t forget, #DEEPSPIRITUALITYANDMASSIVEPROSPERITYISAPOSSIBILITY