A Norvell Note
December 15, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 49
A Gift That Lasts
One of my favorite Jesus stories is found in John 21. Jesus has died, been buried, and risen from the grave. He has visited with the disciples, restored Peter to the fold, enjoyed a meal with them, given them instructions, and is now moving forward. Jesus walks with Peter and discusses the future and how Peter will die.
Peter sees John and asks Jesus, “What about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
My modern interpretation of what Jesus meant when he said, “You must follow me,” is, “Stay in your lane, bro.” He may not have considered this then, but I think Jesus gave him a gift that He knew he would need—a gift that would last.
“Stay in your lane.” “Be you.” “You follow me.” “Don’t concern yourself with what I ask or don’t ask others to do.”
The gift Jesus gave Peter is also available to you and me. Staying in my lane makes my life much easier. I must be me, not someone else.
This is true in our work, how we participate in our churches, and how we function in our family. Be you. Let others be them.
Not only is being you a lasting gift we have been given, but it is also a gift we can give to others, and then they can give it to someone else.
Enjoy the gift of being you and share the gift that lasts.
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2024 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.