“Peter took him outside and began to rebuke him.  ‘Never, Lord!’ he said.  ‘This shall never happen to you!’” (Matthew 16:22)

I can’t help but sympathize with Peter’s reaction.  How much do I not want to hear God’s plans when it goes against my plans?  I don’t want to hear God say to help the poor if it makes me feel uncomfortable.  I don’t want to hear God say love my enemies if I’m not going to get anything in return.  And Peter didn’t want to hear Jesus say he was to live a life of service and sacrifice, and not a life of conquest.

In all these cases and more I want to rebuke God.  Just like Peter.

Jesus’ responds to Peter by saying, “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”  Jesus knows that what is important is God’s will – even if that’s not an easy path to follow. 

I hope that these are lessons I remember the next time I’m forced with a decision between Christ and what the world says I should do.