By Amy Schisler
“You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men.” ~Matthew 16:23
Poor Peter. He has just, moments before, been made the Rock of the Church, the one to guide his brother Apostles and all the disciples in this new endeavor of God’s Kingdom on Earth. Yet, as we all so often do, he stumbles right out of the gate.
It’s impossible to put ourselves in God’s shoes, to think as God thinks (which is how this verse is translated in the version we read at Mass), but let’s put ourselves in Peter’s shoes.
The Shoes of the Fisherman
Peter was a fisherman. He would’ve worn rugged, leather sandals with hard soles and leather bindings. They would’ve been made by hand, and would’ve been perpetually caked with dust, dirt, and mud. They probably looked the same way my hiking shoes look after a day on the trails!
Furthermore, I probably would have reacted the same way Peter did!
Thinking as Human Beings Do
If there’s one thing I do over and over again, it’s not thinking as God thinks. I’m not all-knowing, ever-present, patient, or full of kindness. Therefore, I often want to know the whole picture, understand the reasons why things happen, and insist that my way is the best way.
Peter didn’t get that Jesus had to be handed over to the Jewish authorities and killed. He wanted to stop that from happening, even calling on God Himself to forbid it. He wanted Jesus to be wrong.
It’s so easy to look at our own little worlds and believe we know what’s best. Speaking for myself, I have this perfect scenario in my mind of how things should play out. I know the order in which things should happen, how they should happen, and to whom. At least, that’s what I tell myself, and like Peter, that’s what I tell God.
Thinking as God Does
In times of distress, times of not knowing what will happen, or not understanding the reasons, I need to let God enter into my heart and tell me what to do. Instead of running with what I think should be done, I need to listen to the voice of God within my soul. He knows best, not me. I must put His desires first and lay aside my own.
After Peter is told he is thinking like man and not God, Jesus goes on to say, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). That’s the threefold answer when we question the thinking of God: deny whatever we think is best and what we want God to do; accept whatever the situation is; and follow God’s desires and plans.
When we allow God’s plans to unfold in our lives, we begin to think like God. When we think like God, we act like God. When we act like God, we live like God. Deny thyself and let God lead you.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to deny my own wishes, desires, and beliefs that are unlike Your own. Help me trust You enough to accept whatever You are handing me. Help me to follow Your Will. Amen.
Call to Action:
The next time you find yourself arguing with God, take a step back. Try to imagine the scenario from God’s perspective. If you can’t, pray for the ability to accept His will as your own.
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