April 6

The Turn Around

The errors become as stumbling stones to be turned into stepping-stones, into those characters and ways as are the more perfect.

Based on Edgar Cayce reading 843-9

It was in an upper room when Peter made the biggest promise of his life. "My Lord, I will never leave You, regardless of what others may do".

Jesus, admiring the spirit but also understanding human frailty, prepared Peter by saying, "Tonight, Peter, before you hear the rooster crow, you will deny you ever knew Me."

It was only a few hours later in a darkened courtyard outside the governor's house that Peter did a complete turnaround:

“You were with the man Jesus,” accused one man.

"I was not," replied Peter.

"I know you were,” said a woman. "I say I wasn't,” answered Peter.

“Your accent gives you away,” stated a third.

"I don't even know this man Jesus,” proclaimed Peter.

At that moment he heard the rooster crow. He turned and stared straight into the eyes of Jesus who was standing on the balcony. Peter felt nothing but shame and fled.

Later on when he realized the eyes staring back at him had reflected only loving understanding, he turned around again. Less than two months later he found himself in the center of Jerusalem, telling a crowd of several thousand people the story of this great man of love.

APPLICATION: Name something in your life for which you still feel guilt and shame. Now look into those eyes of loving understanding - and release the guilt.