As the Rooster Struts

Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Just as he was speaking the cock crowed.  Luke 22:60

 What was Simon Peter’s strength?  Loyalty and commitment.  On one occasion he said to Jesus, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”  (Mark 14:29).  His ‘right hand’— his faith and commitment, became his weakness because he lacked humility.  His enthusiasm for the quality of loyalty was such a driving force in his life that it drove him past humility into spiritual pride.

“Pride goes before a fall”

Peter needed the Lord at his right hand to strengthen the qualities of loyalty and commitment with humility.  Those who are involved in Christian work sometimes become so anxious to see their work succeed that they exaggerate the success out of the very desire to see it.  They produce it out of their imagination, and border on the untruthful.

“As the rooster struts”,— I need the Lord to be at my right hand in order to ensure my deepest longings are combined with honesty, realism, and an acceptance of the facts.

                                                                   Olivia Cameo Lewis
October 1999

The dust cloud around the feet is circular,
suggests— moving, expending much energy without going anywhere.