Message: “Everyone Has a Place, vol. 4: Our Weaknesses Are Strengths Too” from Emily Holverson

Message at 21:20. Gut instinct is great, except when it’s not. Peter was a fisherman who met a guy named Jesus and accepted an invitation to follow him. He left his nets and the life he knew, presumably because he was drawn to something in Jesus and was inspired to make a shift. After following him for a while, Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus says Peter is blessed, calls him, “Rock,” and states that he will be foundational in what Jesus is building. Later, Jesus shares about the dark days ahead that will lead to the cross and the resurrection. Peter declares this will never happen. Jesus says, “Get behind me Satan” and calls him a stumbling block. A stumbling block or a cornerstone? Which is Peter actually? Perhaps Peter carries elements of both in his personality. Perhaps his faith and impulsivity and gut reactions are what made him such a great candidate to lead the early church. Perhaps as he grew with Spirit, Peter learned how to better lean into his strengths and weaknesses and how to lead from both. Perhaps his weaknesses reminded him of the growth he needed and taught him how to stay aligned with the Holy Spirit. Perhaps Peter’s experience is a common human experience - we are complex people with strengths and weaknesses. Being aware of both keeps us humble and going and growing with Jesus.

From Series: Everyone Has a Place | More Messages from Emily Holverson

From Series: "Everyone Has a Place"

In this series, we want to help people come to a deeper understanding about what makes you you and about how everyone has a place in Jesus’s mission. We want to equip people with spiritual (as well as scientific and psychological) perspectives about personality. We want to help people appreciate how God equips each person with strengths and purpose in God’s dream for humankind and the world. We want to explore and share tools and practical knowledge with folks to help everyone live into the joyful reality that everyone has a place in the mission of Christ. In the end, we want to help each person come alive in their Spirit-ignited true self in a way that blesses them, God and others.