A Chapter in Inward Biography

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

1st Peter i. 13,

THERE were three stages in the life of Peter, and unconsciously he repeats them here. He began with the “girding” — what Christ calls the self-confidence of youth. Life stretched before him joyously; it seemed a very easy thing. Its sea was a place of promenade; men could walk on it; he at all events could walk on it. Others might need to go round the loch; but he could cross over it; “on the banks of Allan Water, none so gay as he.” Then came the second stage — the ‘’ sobering down.” Life stretched before him gloomily; self-confidence vanished; despair came. Not only could nobody walk on the sea; nobody could sail on it. It was all storm, storm, storm. He put out his hand and cried “Save me, I perish; “‘’ on the banks of Allan Water, none so sad as he.” Then came the third stage — the ‘’ hoping for a grace beyond.” Life stretched before him Godwardly. It was a new confidence — no longer in self, but in heaven. It was the union of aspiration and humility. It said: ‘’ I am a poor enough creature; yet if on life’s sea there were not a haven for me, I should not be here. God has a place for me — if not on the promenade, then in the ship — if not in the ship, then in the ferryboat. It is coming, it is coming; it will be here by and by.”

Even such, my soul, is God’s leading of thee. At first thou seest Christ without the storm — Christ too near, Christ coming apart from the clouds. Heaven is so close at hand that earth dwindles, and its biggest concerns become trifles. Thy Father will not let thee believe that; and so He sends thee a sobering down. Thou hast seen Christ without the storm; He gives thee a vision of the storm without Christ — a vision sore but salutary. It brings thee into touch with human grief; it teaches thee the fellowship that lies in the mystery of pain; bless thy Father for the sobering hour. At last there comes to thee the reconciling morning — the waiting for thy Christ in the storm. Thou hast seen thy Christ alone; thou hast seen thy storm alone; but the marriage is coming. These feet Divine shall touch thy human sea, and the marriage bells shall ring ‘’ It is I; I and the storm are one.” Ring out, glad bells, and we shall cease to be afraid. It is not less storm we need, it is more light. We would not suspend Jacob’s struggle; let but the day break to tell us he is vanquished by an angel’s wing. Thou canst bear a thousand waves if they claim identity with Jesus; the storm will not grate upon thine ear if He says ‘^ It is I.” All grace shall come to thee “at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”