66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
John 6:66-68, ESV
To be an authentic follower of Jesus can be really hard sometimes. There doesn’t seem to be any contingency plan for anyone who is looking to escape. Jesus either is, or He isn’t our Lord. The question is posed daily, “Do you also want to leave?”
That’s a question that will be asked to every disciple–I will hear it every morning for the rest of my life.
These are moments when I must make a decision. Will I take up my cross and go with Him? I’ve looked around and there doesn’t seem to be any room in Jesus’ band for ‘almost’ disciples. But Jesus loves Peter, and Jesus loves me. I believe this.
“And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself],
And take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also].“
Luke 9:23, Amplified Bible
Being obedient to Jesus is far from easy these days. Today’s cross is waiting for me as my feet hit the floor each morning. I’m afraid at times that I won’t be able to take the next step as a true follower. Am I just fooling myself? Will Jesus keep helping and holding me? (Matthew 11:28-30.)
All of heaven seems to stand on tiptoe to watch and see what I’m going to do next.
“Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.”
Psalm 73:25, NLT
Broken Believers 
This has been my verse this week. “Where else would I go? ” Your words are always rich with insight and encouragement.
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You’re very kind. And yes that “scene” produces much. I’ve got a new site, gospels101.com which you just might find interesting.
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Many years ago I heard the voice of God very clear asking How far will you go for me? and I couldn’t answer all the way or part of way. there was something within me that held me back from making a spiritual commitment to service.
it took over twenty years and much heartbreak events which I had created to waken to my God-self. Am I a Peter, Yes.
I fumble and fall at times yet my vision and faith endures because like Peter where else is there assurance of eternal life.
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Me too, I wish I would have made a wholehearted commitment sooner. But I have learned, it’s the “daily” decision that really counts. “Pick up your cross, daily.” And yes, Peter is one of my favs for the reasons you mentioned.
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Bryan, Peter’s statement in John 6 says it all. IMHO (we all know that what follows next is not humble, right?) we are God’s wholly owned property, in other words, His slaves. We have been bought with a price and we are not our own. IF that is true, it is then our good pleasure is to serve out Master well, where ever He places us. ( I know your history, at least part of it. As I write this, I am dealing with several physical issues, some serious and some inconvenient. But in all those, the focus is not on me but on His Grace.)
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After writing and editing–and then thinking more, I wish I could have emphasized God’s “grace” more than I did.
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