50 YEARS AGO TODAY

50 years ago today, June 26, 1968, I reported to the Naval Academy for my plebe year.  Among my classmates there has been a flurry of reminiscing on social media, noting the significant impact of our time together there.

I join with them with one huge event in mind for me:  I committed my life to Christ during my second year there as a midshipman.

Life at the Academy  was conducive to my growth in Christ.  The Academy's emphasis on personal responsibility, submission to authority, integrity, sacrifice and teamwork were a real asset during those early years for me.

I am thankful that God drew me to Himself while I was there.

(For a post on my facebook page on the anniversary of the day I gave my life to Christ, you can click here.  If you don't have facebook, a photo of my facebook page can be seen here.)

"You follow Me."

Remarkable.

The last recorded words Jesus spoke personally to Peter: remarkable.

Several conversations between Peter and Jesus are recorded in John 21.  Much attention, and justifiably so, is given to Jesus' previous interaction with Peter.  "Do you love Me?" Jesus asks him several times. (John 21:13-17)

They walk down the beach, and John (the disciple whom Jesus loved) is following at a distance.  Peter takes note.

Here we have Peter, the man upon whom Jesus will build His church and advance His Kingdom, the man specially chosen to head up the band of men and women upon whom the success of the future rests, whose ministries will determine the eternal destiny of millions.  I would think that His final words to Peter would be some stirring visionary exhortation full of guidance, hope and promise. Yet He finishes with Peter where they started.

Several years earlier, Jesus had invited Peter and his fishing buddies, "Follow Me..." (see Matthew 4:19 and Mark 1:19).

And here at the end, after the crucifixion and resurrection, as Peter asks about John, Jesus says simply, "Don't be concerned about him. You have one concern: follow Me."  (John 21:22)