From Gary... Destiny

This picture shows the knee-jerk reaction some dogs have to water.  I see it every time I give my dogs a bath; they know what is in store for them and they RESIST!!!  But, what if someone told you YOUR FUTURE... how would YOU REACT???...

John, Chapter 21

 15 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” 

He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” 

He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”   16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” 

He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” 

He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”   17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” 

Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” 

Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.   18  Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and carry you where you don’t want to go.” 
  19  Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.” 

  20  Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus sincerely loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray You?”  21 Peter seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 

  22  Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.”  23 This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”

It seems almost too obvious to say, but both Peter and John loved Jesus. They both followed him for the rest of their natural lives.  Peter was crucified (upside-down, by request) and John was exiled to the isle of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation.  Two very different destinies, for two very different people. Why? Only God knows!!!  We can't predict the future (I really DO NOT want to know it) but we can submit ourselves to God.  Even if we die the worst death imaginable, if we are faithful, we will have our heavenly reward!!!  So, let the future happen and may God help us all to accept our destiny without resistance; for God controls everything and in reality, there really is nothing to worry about. But, try telling that to dogs- they just don't get it!!!