God has a plan for you!

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Peter proved in the garden of Gethsemane that he was courageous against an armed group when he had a sword in his hand. But that wasn’t the type of courage that God planned for Peter. God’s plan was for one of the most courageous men who ever lived to conquer the greatest empire the world has ever known – completely unarmed. According to traditional sources, Peter went to Rome and started the Christian church in that city. Peter had been charged by Jesus to feed the flock of the church and Jesus had indicated to Peter that he would be executed in the future. Peter was known for healing the sick and the church that Peter founded fed the poor in the city of Rome. Peter was eventually executed as Jesus had prophesied by the pagan Roman authorities who thought they could defeat Peter’s efforts by killing him. Eventually, through the popularity of the church’s hospitals and charitable activities including feeding the poor - Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

One unarmed man who followed the plan of God was able to peacefully conquer the Roman Empire. Imagine what God may have planned for you!

Text citations below from The Comprehensive New Testament

John 18:10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?”

John 21:17 ...Peter was grieved because the third time he said to him, “Do you like me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I like you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” 19 This he said to show by what death he would glorify God. And after this he said to him, “Follow me.”