I have always loved the Apostle Peter. I have especially been impressed with his almost reckless faith. When the Lord said “Come, follow me,” Peter dropped his fishing nets where he stood and immediately followed the Master, with no thought of how he would provide for himself or his family. It was enough that the Master had commanded him to follow. He obeyed.
Later, in a ship near to be overwhelmed by the boisterous winds, he saw the Master walking upon the water. Peter wished to walk out to Jesus on the water. The Master bade him to do so. Without a second thought, Peter leaped over the side of the ship and began walking towards Jesus. It was only when he took his eyes off of Jesus and paid heed to the buffeting storm around him that he began to sink, and Christ had to lift him out of the storm.
Still later, when he perceived that it was the resurrected Christ who awaited them on the sea shore, he had no thought for the great draught of fishes they had just taken, and couldn’t be troubled to wait for a boat. He leaped into the water and swam to shore to reach the Master more quickly.
Just now, I was reading the following account of Peter, in Acts 3. I was so touched by the power of his faith, and the result—instant and complete healing—that it brought me to tears. I wanted to share it with all of you.
1 NOW Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
Pres. Packer gave an excellent talk about the power of the Priesthood in this past conference. Peter was one who not only had the authority, but truly had the power of the Priesthood because of his great, vital faith. I also loved how Pres. Packer taught that powerful Priesthood service begins in the home.
Thinking about Peter’s example the last few days has made me want to be so much more for my family and for the Lord. I want to have the kind of faith that Peter had, the kind of faith that made him one of the most powerful Priesthood leaders ever—the kind of faith that never questioned why the Lord asked him to do something, but simply focused on what the Lord had asked him to do, and then he did it. Immediately. That was the kind of powerful faith that enabled Peter to say, with complete confidence, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” This was the kind of faith that healed men. I wish that I had that kind of faith. Perhaps if I did, I could reach out and heal all of us who have GID.
Perhaps you could heal some of those who have GID. I’ve learned the hard way, from having health problems for the past 16 yrs. or so and often asking for priesthood blessings (and even asking to be healed about 13 yrs. ago) that it has to be the Lord’s will. Sometimes it is his will that instead, we learn patience, or other lessons, and that our time to be healed is not right now. It’s hard hard lesson and sometimes a bitter one, just a tiny bit, perhaps, like the Savior’s bitter cup.
I agree with your admiration of Peter, though. We so often need courage and faith like his in matters that need to be “just done,” like President Kimball’s “Just do it.”
I hope you’ll post more. I’ve needed to hear what you’ve had to say in past posts. My boyfriend has GID and I can’t talk about it with anyone else. I did join some of the North Star groups. I feel like I need a LOT of guidance right now on some things and I don’t know who else to talk to. I did talk confidentially with one priesthood leader (not my bishop). I think I need to leave it up to my boyfriend whether or not our bishop finds out. (We’re in the same ward.)
Anyway…this may not be a popular answer, but…
Although the past 16 yrs. have been very hard for me, (as well as some other very serious trials I’ve had to go through in my life), I have to grudgingly admit that I probably wouldn’t be who I am without these trials. I know I’d be a less effective servant to our Heavenly Father. If there were a way to be who I am without the trials, it would be nice, but maybe there just isn’t. My boyfriend is one of the kindest people I’ve ever known, and maybe that’s in part because of his GID. If it would be the Lord’s will that he and/or I could be healed though, I sure wouldn’t complain!!
Rachel,
Thank you for this post and the private e-mails. I really love how you said, “I probably wouldn’t be who I am without these trials.” I feel exactly the same way. I have been through some painful and difficult times with GID, but I am truly grateful for the experiences because I am a different (and I think better) person for them. I wouldn’t line up for this or wish it on my worst enemy. But it makes me think of that Church video, “How Rare a Possession,” where Parley P. Pratt reads the Book of Mormon, and then comments that he would not trade the knowledge he then had for clear title to all the beautiful land he was traversing at the time. I feel the same way. I wouldn’t trade what I have learned and what I have gained, even for a life of comfort and relative ease.