5- Identity. God knew who He was getting when He chose you.

I say it all the time, maybe even too often, I love Peter from the Bible. Maybe the reason I love him so much is because I often wonder to myself how God could want or use someone as emotional, over analytical, or messed up as me, and then I think….Oh yeah, Peter. You have to wonder if anyone wanted to run up to Jesus after He chose Peter and give him a little disclaimer on the guy. “Listen Jesus, just so you know, you might want to rethink your choice there with Peter. He is a bit of a loose cannon, pretty bossy, thinks he is way smarter than he is, always speaks before he thinks and an overall flight risk. I also have to wonder if Jesus might have responded by walking away with a half smile on his face thinking, “perfect”. Jesus didn’t choose Peter because he was perfect but because he was willing, He knew this man had a heart that would be willing to surrender again and again to Him. Peter went on to betray Jesus and weep over his grief and lack. Why did Jesus allow this? Why does He allow it in our lives? I would propose that it is because He has to allow us to understand where our strength ends, even in our best intentions, and where His begins. Jesus restores Peter on the beach not by reprimanding him or guilt him but by asking him a question, one He asks us as well, “Do you love me?” This is the only thing that really matters. Even when we fail and walk through cleansing and sifting Jesus chose us because He knew what our hearts would answer, “YES!” His response, “feed my sheep!” After Jesus’ resurrection and the Holy Spirit came, Peter was never referred to as Simon again. He was made new. Do it for us too Lord! Restore our hearts, set us on fire for you, let us run wildly in love with you as we go to feed your sheep! SOW NOTES https://www.ashleymorganjackson.com/podcast/2019/9/5/podcast-ep5-identity-the-lord-knew-who-he-was-getting-when-he-chose-you CALLED TO BUILD FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/calledtobuildcommunity/ CALLED TO BUILD INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/calledtobuild/ FREE "WHAT AM I CALLED TO?" WORKBOOK: https://www.ashleymorganjackson.com/called Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/called-to-build/donations