I AM PETER!

I am the rock, the foundation!

Am I insensitive and immovable?

My leadership was put to the test;

The crew on my boat one of the best;

Sought support and questioned our direction,

And asked whether we could follow this Man of Nazareth.

My mind was clear, my eye was sharp,

As we fished the Sea of Galilee.

The dawn was fresh, the breeze was cool,

The waters were as calm as the Pool of Siloam.

The fishing was poor and we spent the whole day

Casting our nets, for our catch was not assured.

The voice that commanded, “Cast to the right!”

Was the voice of authority, firm and intense.

The surprise that confronted us was evident,

Until we came to learn of the power of our guide.

That day was a wonder, to be praised,

The forerunner of greater events yet to arise.

We accepted the beckoning by which we were called;

We listened to the words and were enthralled.

We witnessed the miracles of which you were told;

We saw the healing of the young and the old.

We believed in a promise given to Man;

That Christ, the Son of God, had come.

I was unsure of my role!

Yet I listened in order to learn;

My brothers in fellowship likewise did the same,

Each one eventually to the conclusion came;

Here was an event that would remain,

Etched in history for the whole of mankind.

We were playful, as kittens might be,

Each growing and jostling for priority,

Until that day the Lord said to me,

“Upon you the foundation of My Church will be!”

The weight of those words were truly heavy,

And I fought back the tears of my disharmony.

I had come to my Lord with a heavy heart;

Yet I could not see how I could play this part.

On the day that He asked one question of me...

“Peter, do you love Me?”

I answered, “I do, Lord,” each time that He enquired;

After three times my temper was well fired.

He calmed me with a touch and a soothing word;

And I later came to know, I understood,

Why I should be tested in a simple way,

For it was not long after the crucifixion day;

The body hung on that cross in agony,

Was the body of our brethren in spirituality!

How could a fisherman a shepherd be?

For I was a man at ease on the sea;

The waters’ tide ebbed and flowed,

Yet if I were a rock I would not go.

On the land the rock formed the base

Upon which to build all manner of edifice.

My faith was tested and proved,

For I had experienced the deepest of love.

The pain suffered by a cruel death,

Was the redemption of Man’s sinfulness.

We were forgiven for our lack of trust,

For rejection of our God who would not forget us!

Now there is a gift that we share,

With all who come forward and who dare,

To accept the sacrifice given for each,

By the living death of His experience;

By the words we now teach,

By the breaking of bread and obedience.

I am Peter!

A simple man who was chosen beforehand;

A witness of the greatest love freely given.

A man nurtured and healed;

Who has been privileged to serve,

To enjoy the freedom of God’s simplicity.

My part; a small contribution,

To the outcome of divine attribution;

My days passed filled with joy,

Once this sadness of the passing of that Easter morn

Were confirmed by our Lord’s presence after the storm;

When we were baptized by the fire of a holy counsellor.

There were many who came to be saved;

Thirsty for Christ’s word and to be bathed;

Not only by water but by the spirit He gave,

The fire of the soul and His Grace.

We confirmed each convert by the laying of hands,

And pronounced the blessing we had learned.

I travelled with my brethren, James and John,

From Jerusalem to Tyre and Sidon;

We sailed across the Mediterranean,

To Rome and beyond.

We joined with Paul as he witnessed,

To His conversion and the truth He found.

We feared for our lives a little;

We were not sure of this man’s mettle.

He was a Roman, friend or foe?

We were unsure of where to go!

My friends and I prayed for a while,

And were assured by our Lord’s reply.

There were many Jews who accepted us;

Likewise many Gentiles who opened their hearts.

Our travels brought the pain of the world,

To the attention of our brother + sisterhood.

Our Lord Jesus made himself known,

And the harvest ripened as we had sown.

My own death came as it had been foretold;

The fearful react as they had in days of old.

Those who could not face truth and change,

Destroyed all, whether good or strange.

The evil unconvinced evil remained,

Until the day that spark of love was unchained.

“I am Peter.”

I am one of the few who wait to greet You.

Each one who has accepted Jesus Christ,

Can rest assured, after death there is life.

Remember as you live, your need suffice,

To be blessed, to obtain, the everlasting light.

April 17th. 1996 ã Will George