The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

Have you ever tried to distance yourself from someone you’ve wronged—dodging interactions, avoiding gatherings, or putting on a smile while hiding the discomfort inside? “Are You Hiding?” explores the spiritual tendency we all share: hiding from God when we know we've fallen short. Through the lens of Adam and Eve’s story in Genesis, this devotional reminds us that God doesn’t abandon us in our shame—He comes looking for us with love, not condemnation. This message is for anyone who has drifted from God, avoided spiritual disciplines, or felt too ashamed to draw near again. God is not hiding from you—He’s calling your name. ---------------------------------------- Highlights * Hiding from God is a deeply human response to sin, rooted in fear and shame (Genesis 3:10). * We may avoid Scripture, church, or prayer, thinking we can escape conviction—but God always sees us and still desires relationship. * Even when we distance ourselves, God pursues us, calling out just as He did in the Garden: “Where are you?” * Like the prodigal son (Luke 15), restoration comes not through hiding, but in returning with a surrendered heart. * Fig leaves of distraction—our modern ways of covering sin—can’t replace the healing power of repentance and grace. * When we stop running and respond to God, He covers our shame with love, mercy, and forgiveness. ---------------------------------------- 💬 Join the Conversation Have you ever felt distant from God because of guilt or shame? What helped you find your way back? 📲 Tag @lifeaudionetwork [https://www.instagram.com/lifeaudionetwork] and share your story using #NoMoreFigLeaves. You never know who might find healing through your honesty. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer [https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/] 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews [https://www.lifeaudio.com/crosswalk-talk-celebrity-christian-interviews/] ---------------------------------------- Full Transcript Below: Are You Hiding? By Megan J. Conner “When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees. Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” Gen. 3:8-10 (NLT) Can you recall a time when you purposely evaded someone because you had wronged or harmed them in some way? You decline invitations to events because you know they will be in attendance, or if being present together is unavoidable, you walk to the other side of the room when they arrive, pretending to be busy with an important task. Perhaps this individual is completely unaware of the offense you carry in your heart, so they continue to pursue relationship with you and are clearly confounded by your distance. It would be better in the long run to have the much-needed hard conversation and make amends, but fear holds you captive.  At the moment, it feels easier to hide. But is it really?  Because we are created in God’s image (Gen. 1:27) each and every one of us knows the difference between right and wrong. A measure of the Holy Spirit resides in every soul. Secular views coin this internal conviction as a conscience that measures and judges the motives of our hearts. Regardless of title or worldview, it is evident that humanity carries within them an organic sense of morality.  Think of a child at a very young age who desires a toy or an object they have been told they cannot have. Even though they know they aren’t supposed to have it, they will plot and plan a way to obtain it.  And once they have it in their possession, what is the first thing they do? They run away and hide.  Child or adult, none of us is any different. For thousands of years, like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, when we willfully choose to sin, we separate ourselves from our Creator. We retreat; we go into hiding. Perhaps we stop reading our Bibles, stray away from godly relationships with others, or maybe even avoid attending church or other faith-based gatherings. Somehow, we deceive ourselves into believing this distance shields us from the knowing eyes of the Lord. But the truth is, we are only covering ourselves with fig leaves.  “The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.” Gen. 3:6-7 (NLT) The allure of sin, paired with the deception of the enemy, convinces us that we should not only give in to the desires of our flesh, but that when we do, God is not aware of misgivings. Even further, we should run away from Him rather than towards Him. Similar to our relationships with others, if we avoid reconciliation, we will continue on in a state of unsettledness – of discomfort. Relief will only come once we repent and return to right relationship with the Lord and others.   God knew exactly where Adam and Eve were in the garden that day.  He did not need to call out to them to learn of their mistake. Though they distanced themselves, He went in search of them. Like the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to recover the one who has wandered away, so too does the Lord pursue us when we hide away from Him. And when He approaches, all we have to do is humbly surrender, and He will cover our shame and draw us once again into His loving arms.  Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you feel distant from the Lord today? Are there areas of your heart you are hiding from Him? I encourage you to take a look at the passages provided for further reading and see how God not only pursues us when we run away from Him, but also how He clothes and heals us when we return.  There is no need to hide. Return to Him. He is ready and waiting to embrace you today. Further Reading: Gen. 3 Matt 18:10-14 Luke 15:11-32 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].

Grief can be blinding. When sorrow settles over our hearts like a heavy fog, even the truth can be hard to see. In this heartfelt devotional, Sarah Frazer shares how grief can cloud our belief—just like it did for the disciples when they couldn’t accept Jesus’ resurrection. This message gently reminds us that even when we feel spiritually numb, God’s presence is near. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, lasting comfort and faith are still available to us—even when we feel broken. ---------------------------------------- Highlights * Grief can cloud faith, just as it did for Jesus’ disciples after the crucifixion. * When loss or sorrow overwhelms us, we may struggle to believe God is still good—or still near. * Mark 16 shows how even those closest to Jesus had moments of unbelief in their grief. * God's presence—through the Holy Spirit—is our source of strength when belief is hard to muster. * Jesus blesses those who have not seen, yet still believe (John 20:29). That’s us today. * We are not alone in our sorrow. The Holy Spirit comforts, assures, and strengthens us through seasons of suffering. ---------------------------------------- 💬 Join the Conversation Have you ever experienced a time when sorrow made belief difficult? What helped you feel God’s presence again? 👉 Share your story by tagging @lifeaudionetwork [https://www.instagram.com/lifeaudionetwork] and using the hashtag #BeliefInTheStorm. Let’s encourage one another to keep believing, even when it’s hard. 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer [https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/] 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews [https://www.lifeaudio.com/crosswalk-talk-celebrity-christian-interviews/] ---------------------------------------- Full Transcript Below: When Sorrow Clouds Belief By Sarah Frazer Bible Reading: “But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.” Mark 16:11 (ESV) Devotional My heart dropped at the news. Again!? That word echoed in my head as I read through the social media post. In just two years two young men had passed away who attended the same church. Again a family grieved the sudden loss of a son and brother. Again a church mourned the pain of a life cut too short.  Sorrow seemed to follow them and my heart ached to help in some way. It seemed all I could do was pray, but I knew that prayers were also powerful. At first I prayed that the people would be comforted. But then I began to pray that the people would believe. Yes, I prayed for the comfort of these families who were suffering, but also for church’s belief to remain strong.  Over the years I’ve faced many sorrowful events in my own life. Death, illness, broken dreams, and struggles not fit for social media. In the midst of the hardest days, belief is hard to come by. During one hard season I read this verse in Mark 16 about the disciples. “But when they [the disciples] heard that he [Jesus] was alive and had been seen by her [Mary Magdalene], they would not believe it.” Mark 16:11 On the third day after Jesus’ crucifixion, the women came to Jesus’ tomb and found it empty. At first the disciples and the women didn’t know what this meant. They were still grieving. When I read that verse in Mark 16:11 I realized that maybe the disciples couldn’t believe the truth about Jesus’ resurrection because they were still grieving.  Have you ever experienced such a sorrow, so deep and wide, that you doubted the faith you’ve held for so long? I know that the enemy likes to prowl and pounce on us when we are at our weakest, and during times of sorrow we are often clouded by grief and we struggle to believe.  Maybe you are in a season right now that feels too overwhelming, too hard, and filled with too much grief. I pray that you will not be like the disciples and harden your heart to unbelief. Jesus’ death was fresh on their hearts and minds. I think we can all identify with the followers of Jesus in those first few days. They struggled to believe and understand and sometimes grief can’t be explained.  The women had seen Jesus’ tomb, Mary Magdalene had seen Jesus alive, but the disciples, hiding in a room, struggled to make sense of the death of Jesus. In our grief we try so hard to make sense of it. We want to know why. But so often, in the middle of my my grief, it is less about why, and more about Who. Who is with me?  It says in Mark 16:12-13, “After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.” Again eye-witnesses told the disciples that Jesus was alive! How many times do people come to us, in the middle of our grief, and try to comfort us with truth.  Sometimes truth is hard to believe when we are sorrowing, and that is ok. What changed for the disciples? Jesus appeared to them. It was His presence that they believed. How I wish we could all experience the physical presence of Jesus here on earth, but we live in a different time.  Jesus referred to this time, in the Gospel of John, as actually a time of something better. We do not have Jesus’ physical presence today, but we have God’s spiritual presence available to us always! The Holy Spirit lives in each believer. Once we give our lives to Jesus and become a child of God, God’s spirit resides in us - God’s very presence.  It might feel like we are all alone, but we are not. We can choose to believe, even in the middle of our sorrow, that God has not left us. What fuels our belief is choosing to trust God’s presence is with us in the Holy Spirit. The disciples had Jesus’ physical presence, and that was when their belief rose up.  We have the presence of the Spirit of God always with us, and it has the power to give us all of the comfort and belief we need for today.  Intersecting Faith & Life: Thomas is known as the doubting disciple. Only until he physically saw Jesus did he believe. Listen to Jesus’ words: “Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” That is you and me! Use one of the verses below to read and meditate on today, choosing to believe that God is with you, even in the midst of sorrow.  Further Reading: John 16:22 Psalm 30 2 Corinthians 4:17 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].

In a culture obsessed with fixing weaknesses, Whitney Hopler invites us to shift our focus to our God-given strengths. Drawing from Romans 12:6-8, this devotional encourages believers to identify, celebrate, and use their unique spiritual gifts and talents instead of dwelling on flaws. Embracing your natural strengths not only aligns you with God’s design but also empowers you to serve more confidently and effectively in your personal and professional life. ---------------------------------------- Highlights * Many people spend too much time trying to fix weaknesses, losing sight of the powerful strengths God has given them. * Formal strength assessments or simple reflection can help you discover your unique spiritual gifts and natural abilities. * Romans 12:6-8 encourages using your strengths faithfully rather than obsessing over weaknesses. * God’s purpose for you is best fulfilled when you lean into what you’re naturally good at, making a greater impact for His kingdom. * Focusing on your strengths leads to greater confidence, wise decisions, and freedom to be your true self in Christ. * Strengths-based living helps overcome weaknesses without becoming paralyzed by them. ---------------------------------------- 💬 Join the Conversation: Have you discovered your God-given strengths? How has focusing on your strengths changed your outlook or actions? 👉 Tag @lifeaudionetwork [https://www.instagram.com/lifeaudionetwork/] and use #StrengthInFaith to share your story or insights. Let’s inspire each other to live boldly in our unique gifts! 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer [https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/] 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews [https://www.lifeaudio.com/crosswalk-talk-celebrity-christian-interviews/] ---------------------------------------- Full Transcript Below: Focus on What’s Strong, Not Wrong By: Whitney Hopler  “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” – Romans 12:6-8, NIV  The well-being center where I work at George Mason University manages a popular program where students and employees take free assessments to learn what their personal strengths are and how to use those strengths well. We’re currently training students to be “strengths counselors”, as well, so their fellow students can get help from their peers to use their strengths to the fullest, both personally and professionally. Often, we hear from the people we serve that they had focused mostly on their personal weaknesses before they learned to focus [https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/5-powerful-prayers-for-focus.html] on their strengths instead. They had worried about their weaknesses and limited their plans because they lacked confidence. But the more they paid attention to their strengths, the less their weaknesses limited them, and the more they were able to accomplish in every part of their lives.  Many people are taught from a young age to identify their weaknesses and to work on them, to fix what’s supposedly wrong with them. Maybe that happened to you. While it’s true that you can always grow and improve, focusing on your flaws can prevent you from seeing and using the unique strengths God has given you.  But what if you changed your focus? What if, instead of dwelling on what you perceive as “wrong” with you, you started celebrating and developing what’s strong with you? God has given you a unique mix of strengths for a purpose, and he wants you to use them!  Romans 12:6-8 urges you to identify your God-given personal strengths and put them into action. It doesn’t advise you to work on your weaknesses. Instead, it says to figure out what you’re naturally good at doing, and then do it!  God, your Heavenly Father [https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/reflections-on-gods-role-as-our-heavenly-father.html], has designed you uniquely. When you spend too much time and energy trying to fix something that isn’t your natural strength, you might miss out on the incredible impact you could be making by using your God-given talents. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t pursue lifelong learning or overcome challenges. Of course, you should! But it’s important to have the confidence, and positive impact, that God wants you to have.  You can start to put your strengths into action by identifying them first – either through a formal assessment like people at my university do, or just by reflecting on what comes naturally to you, what you enjoy, and what others often say you’re good at doing. Then, you can embrace your uniqueness by letting go of comparisons and celebrating the distinctively wonderful way God has designed you. Finally, ask God to help you live into your purpose [https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/uplifting-ways-to-live-into-your-purpose.html] by giving you opportunities to use your strengths in every part of your life – your relationships, your work, and more.  As you use the strengths God gave you, he will help you overcome your weaknesses, so you won’t have to worry about them. When you focus on what’s strong, not wrong, you line yourself up with God’s design for your life. You can enjoy the freedom of being who you’re meant to be, and you can make wise decisions with confidence.  So, stop worrying [https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/bible-verses-that-taught-me-not-to-worry-and-how.html] about what you think is wrong with you, and start celebrating what’s strong with you!  Intersecting Faith and Life As you consider how it’s important to focus on your God-given strengths, reflect on these questions:  * What are some of your natural strengths that you often overlook or take for granted? * How has focusing on your weaknesses held you back in the past? * When was the last time that you put one of your strengths into action? What happened as a result? * What can you do this week to use one of your God-given strengths? * How can embracing your strengths more fully help you to serve God and others in new ways?  Further Reading 1 Peter 4:10 Ephesians 2:10 Philippians 4:13 2 Corinthians 12:9 Proverbs 18:16 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].

Are you searching for lasting peace amid life’s storms? Stress, anxiety, and uncertainty are common struggles, but the peace Jesus offers is unlike anything the world can give. In this devotional, Vivian Bricker shares how the peace of Christ surpasses temporary fixes and brings lasting transformation. Through trusting Jesus as Savior and Lord, we can experience a profound peace that calms our hearts even in difficult times. ---------------------------------------- Highlights * The world offers fleeting relief through self-help tips and distractions, but Jesus offers lasting peace that truly satisfies (Philippians 4:7). * Accepting Jesus as your Savior—believing in His death and resurrection—is the key to receiving His peace (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 3:1). * Jesus’ peace does not fade or get taken away, even when life feels chaotic (John 14:27). * You can surrender your worries, anxieties, and fears to Jesus and find rest at His feet (John 16:33). * Lasting peace often grows gradually; remain open-hearted and patient as Jesus works in your life. * Counseling and therapy can coexist with faith, complementing the peace Jesus provides. ---------------------------------------- 💬 Join the Conversation: Have you experienced the peace of Christ in your life? How do you handle anxiety and stress with your faith? 👉 Share your story with us on Instagram and tag @lifeaudionetwork [https://www.instagram.com/lifeaudionetwork/] using #PeaceInChrist. Tell us: * What does lasting peace look like in your life? * How has trusting Jesus helped you overcome anxious moments? * What advice would you give to someone seeking peace today? 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer [https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/] 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews [https://www.lifeaudio.com/crosswalk-talk-celebrity-christian-interviews/] ---------------------------------------- Full Transcript Below: Can Jesus Give Lasting Peace? By Vivian Bricker Bible Reading: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Have you ever felt so stressed out that you were at your breaking point? Maybe you were going through a divorce, you failed a test at college, or you simply felt anxious about the future. Did you know that it doesn’t have to be this way? If somebody told you today that you could have lasting peace, would you accept it? The truth is that you can have lasting peace, but the only way is through Jesus Christ. The world today tries to give us temporary highs or self-help tricks to keep our minds off our stress and anxiety, but these quick fixes never last. While some of these techniques and tips can benefit us and we should utilize them, we have to know that they are not the same as Jesus’ peace. However, therapy should be continued and endorsed within the Christian community. We don’t need to believe that counseling and Jesus cannot co-exist, because they can.  Nonetheless, Jesus wants you to have the peace that only He can offer you. When you truly have the peace of Jesus, your life will be transformed, and you will feel a peace that you have never experienced before (Philippians 4:7). This peace will wash over you and provide your weary heart with what it needs.  We can obtain Jesus's peace by trusting in Him and giving all control to Him. We do this when we accept Him as our Savior and Lord. Accepting Him as your Savior and Lord consists of believing that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). After you believe that He is God and that He died and rose again, you become a child of God, and this is where peace begins (1 John 3:1). Everyone is looking for peace, but often in the wrong places. Jesus gives the peace that surpasses understanding. He wants you to come to Him and have peace. He never wants you to feel weighed down by the anxieties of life. Jesus gives lasting peace, and His peace begins as soon as you accept Him. This peace isn’t something that is hard to obtain, as it is freely given by the Lord Himself.  Intersecting Faith & Life: Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). The peace that Jesus has given us will never fade away nor can it be taken away. Even if everything around us is falling apart, His peace still remains. While it might take some time before you fully embrace His peace, it is already waiting for you. Go to Him today and tell Him about your feelings. All of your anxieties, worries, and fears, lay them at His feet. Jesus knows this world is full of hardships and troubles, and He is always more than happy to help us. As Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  Even amidst the troubles, Jesus still reigns, and His peace is still shining bright. This is the beauty of His peace. We will feel more at ease by knowing the Lord, fully trusting in Him, and patiently waiting on Him. This doesn’t mean that we will never be anxious again, but it does mean that Jesus can calm any storm, even the storms of our minds and hearts. Submit yourself to Him today and rest at His feet.  With time, you will see His peace wash over you. It may come in small increments or right when you need it. Keep an eye out for His peace and fully embrace it. It is possible to resist Jesus’ peace; therefore, make sure you are keeping an open heart and open mind to Him.  Do you believe that obtaining lasting peace is possible? Why or why not? Will you make the decision today to have lasting peace by accepting Jesus as your Savior and Lord? Is there something holding you back from accepting Jesus as your Savior and Lord? Further Reading: * Philippians 4:4-9 * 1 Peter 5:7 * Romans 5:1-2 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].

The God Who Knows Us Better Than We Know Ourselves is a powerful devotional that explores Peter’s journey from boldness to denial—and Jesus’ divine insight into his heart. It reminds us that even when we believe we’re ready, God’s timing is intentional. Jesus sees not only who we are now, but also who we are becoming. If you’re feeling stuck in a season of waiting or wondering why God hasn’t “put you in the game,” this episode will bring clarity, encouragement, and comfort. ---------------------------------------- ✨ Highlights: * Luke 22:31–34 sets the scene: Jesus warns Peter about Satan’s plans—and reveals Peter’s future denial. * Peter, full of confidence, says he’s ready for prison or death… but Jesus knows the truth. * The devotional reflects on how our zeal doesn’t always match our maturity—and how Jesus intercedes and lovingly guides us. * Just like Peter, we may overestimate our readiness, but God sees the full picture of our hearts, trials, and future impact. * Encouragement for believers who feel overlooked or underused: God plays the long game, and His plans are rooted in both mercy and foresight. ---------------------------------------- 💬 Join the Conversation: We want to hear from you! Have you ever felt like Peter—ready and willing, but waiting on God's timing? Or maybe you've seen how God used a failure to bring about growth in your life? 👉 Share your story with us on Instagram and tag @lifeaudionetwork [https://www.instagram.com/lifeaudionetwork/] using #FaithInTheWaiting. Let us know: * * What is God teaching you in this season? * How has He revealed something deeper about yourself—something you didn’t even see? * How are you learning to trust the God who knows you better than you know yourself? ---------------------------------------- 🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer [https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/] 🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews [https://www.lifeaudio.com/crosswalk-talk-celebrity-christian-interviews/] Full Transcript Below: "Welcome to The Crosswalk Devotional. We're glad to have you listening with us. Today's topic is [share a few words about the devotional's main theme/topic]. We'll return with the devotional after a brief message from our sponsors."  Take a 5-second pause, then say, "[Title of devotional] written and read by Deidre Braley." Then, proceed to read the devotional.  The God Who Knows Us Better Than We Know Ourselves  Luke 22:31-34: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”  Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you Peter, the rooster will not crow this day until you deny me three times.”  If our faith journeys had mantras, mine would be, “Put me in, Coach!”  I have always been chomping at the bit for God to put me in the game. If the world was a soccer match, I’d be the player on the sideline, jumping up and down with my hand raised screaming, “I’ve got this! Pick me! Pick me!” Sure, my footwork could use some precision and my endurance could stand a boost, but what I lack in raw talent I am certain I can make up for in spirit.  This is how I imagine Simon Peter, too. Peter was the disciple who boldly named Jesus the Messiah (Matthew 16:16), who jumped out of his boat to walk on water towards Jesus (Matthew 14:28-30), and then who leapt out of his boat again to reach Jesus on the shore after his resurrection (John 21:7). He was impulsive, zealous, and earnest, and he seemed to be eager to be used by God.  But on the night of his betrayal, Jesus turned to Peter and told him that Satan had demanded to “sift him like wheat,” and that he had prayed that Peter’s faith wouldn’t fail (Luke 22:31-32). Indignant, Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33). It’s clear he believes his faith is solid as the rock he’s been named for; in this moment, he cannot conceive the possibility that it will falter.  This moment is important because it shows that our own understanding of our capacities, abilities, and firmness of faith is not always in alignment with reality. Peter seemed to truly believe that he would go to prison or even death alongside Jesus, but when the moment of testing came, he was not able. Yet Jesus always knows the state of our hearts and content of our character more clearly than we see it ourselves. He indicates this in the conversation with Peter when he predicts that he will, in fact, deny him three times before morning even comes (Luke 22:34). But here’s something else Jesus sees which we can not: our capacity for growth—where we will be, someday.  Jesus doesn’t turn to Peter and say, “You may or may not make it through this trial. Your faith may or may not crumble. Who knows how things will turn out for you?” He says, “And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32, emphasis mine). He is certain that Peter will not only return with a renewed faith, but that he will also have grown in such a way that enables him to strengthen his brothers, too.  Intersecting Faith & Life  Like Peter, we often think we’re ready for things we are not. We say things like, “Lord, I’m ready to lead,” or “Lord, I’m ready for [insert new opportunity or challenge here].” We are so certain in our own capacities—and resolute in our spirits—that we become frustrated when he makes us wait. Doesn’t he see us jumping up on the sideline, saying, “Put me in, Coach?” Doesn’t he see that we are willing and able? We can see only what we think we want and what we think we should be able to do.  But the fact is, Jesus understands our hearts and abilities better than anyone. And not only that, he sees the trajectory of our lives, and also the version of the person he’s helping us become. In just a blip, he can survey the situation in its totality, seeing the synergy of our past, present, and future.  So when he asks us to wait, it might be that he’s still working on something within us. He recognizes our zeal and spirit—good and wonderful things!—but he’s not just in it for a soccer match. He’s playing the long game. (He’s in it for eternity.)  Today, if you’re feeling ready for a new challenge or opportunity and can’t understand why God hasn’t “put you in yet,” try asking him these simple questions:  God, what are you doing in my life that I can’t see? Would you give me a sense of what you’re working on while I wait?  You might be surprised to find that he not only understands the longings of your heart, but that he also might even teach you something you didn’t know about yourself.  Further Reading Consider spending some more time reading about Jesus’ interactions with Peter today.  * Matthew 14  * Matthew 16  * Luke 22  * John 21 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].