This essay was written by Shelby Reese -- a 9th grader in our youth ministry -- as part of her "Leadership Rocks" course in The Point University (TPU).


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Pushing to the head of the line and blurting out loud, outrageous assertions. Named first in the list of disciples, Peter is often seen elbowing his way to center stage. With a big heart and unlimited enthusiasm, bold and courageous, yet cowardly when it really counted. Peter didn't show the signs of the "Rock" Jesus had for him to become. Yet through the Lord and through the power of His Holy Spirit, He transformed him into a tremendous witness for His glory. By the time Peter sat down to write his first epistle, a lot had changed. The shifting sand of his personality began to solidify into granite. His main focus was not on the cause of suffering, but rather on the results. "For a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trails. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than god, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:6-7)


The man once known as being blustery and loudmouthed, Peter now counsels wives to have "the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" (1 Peter 3:4), and for husbands to "treat their wives with consideration and respect" (1 Peter 3:7). Taking suffering as a badge of honor, as proof of his commitment to Christ at any cost.


With every new step, from Simon, to Peter, to the Rock - his example and influence was widely felt by the church, during his entire lifetime of service to the Lord.


********The End****



Not bad for a young student of Jesus, His Way, and the path of leader-followers!