*Peter spoke about growing up with a mentor/discipler who had the gift of encouragement. His mentor didn't talk about Peter as he was but as he was to become in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter encouraged us to disciple people by helping them grow into maturity. Draw them into God's future for them in Christ.
*Peter also spoke about how our culture acts as if a person's beliefs are fixed. Because of this, we tend to give up on people. We assume they won't change. We lose hope because maybe we've walked with someone who doesn't change. Or the problem seems so pervasive. Or we guard ourselves for emotional safety reasons. But Peter went on to say, "People CAN change and grow...and I'll tell you my story of how that is true of me."
*Peter grew up in a community with deep hostility and contempt between Korean-Americans and African-Americans. His father was a store owner whose store was vandalized by African-Americans. There were many clashes over the years between Korean-American store owners and the African-American community. Peter didn't believe that racial reconciliation could ever happen. That wounds could ever heal. Then, Peter was called to pastor a church in a predominantly African-American community. He didn't want to go, but people there received him. In his words, "People did not give up on me. God did not give up on me."
*Peter's challenge and encouragement to us listeners....
-People CAN change through the Holy Spirit and through your presence.
-Don't just 'bring truth' in a 'drop the mic' moment. (Like Jonah tried to do...bringing a prophetic, condemning word, and then walking away.) God does care about the truth, but He also cares about wrongdoers. So should we care about people...and remember that we are wrongdoers, too.
-We might need to carry the mic in one hand, but we also need to carry a shepherd's staff in the other. We need to walk with people as a gentle shepherd.
How might Peter's words apply in your world and life?
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