Not Yet
Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward." John 13:36
In John 13:36, we find Peter inquiring of Jesus, "Lord, where are you going?" We are uncertain if Peter was deflecting Jesus' previous commandment to "love one another: just as I have loved you" or if he genuinely desired to follow his beloved Master wherever He would go. Jesus' response to Peter reveals a profound truth applicable to us: "Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward."
Jesus acknowledged Peter's limitations by stating that he was not ready. In other words, He's saying, "Not yet," a typical response we do not want to hear. However, His response promised future inclusion in God's plan. This exchange holds great significance for us as we navigate our faith journeys.
There are times when we yearn to be in perfect harmony with God's plans, desiring to understand and follow every step He takes. However, He may respond to our willingness to follow Him as "not yet." We must recognize that His ways are not ours, and He leads us in ways we may not initially understand, but we must trust His guidance is purposeful and perfect.
In our limited perspective, we may struggle to accept delays, detours, and roadblocks. We may question why certain doors close, why prayers seem unanswered, or why progress seems slow. Yet, during these moments, Jesus invites us to trust in His plan, just as He asked Peter to trust Him.
Consider the latter part of Jesus' response: "You will follow afterward." This assurance reminds us that God's timing is flawless, and He knows the perfect moment for each step of our journey. We must remember that His ways are higher than ours, and His timing is always perfect.
Dear Church, in moments of uncertainty, may we learn to lean on the faithfulness of our Savior. Let us trust that even when His plan seems uncertain, it is ultimately for our good. As we follow Jesus, He will lead us to a greater understanding and alignment with His will. We can find comfort in knowing that He walks with us every step of the way. Let us release our need for complete understanding and surrender our ways to our Lord, Jesus Christ. Trust that He leads and guides us even when His plan seems unclear.
