“Now when they (Annas and Caiaphas) saw the boldness of Peter and John…they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13b
Have you ever taken an old piece of furniture and transformed it into a beautiful, useful object? It is not fun at the time. Remember inhaling stripping fumes, drying beads of exertion from your forehead, and absorbing blotches of staining fluid? You finally start cleaning up the mess, sighing with satisfaction, only to notice that your cat was walking across your drying masterpiece. Starting over was just what you had in mind for the rest of the day.
How many times has God had to start over in my life because I let a “cat” walk across my life? So many times we let the little things deter us from the best that God has for us. Don’t forget this truth when God is allowing you to join Him in the transformation of a life. Sometimes the people you help the most are the people who hurt you the most. Give the project to God again and know that God has everything under control. God loves His projects. Even when they get interrupted by circumstances, He is still working behind the scenes. Remember, God sees the finished masterpiece. Accept the role He has given you as a pastor’s wife and don’t get discouraged when you think people are not progressing the way you had planned. The “cats” are out there. Let God take care of them.
Why would Annas and Caiaphas marvel at hearing Peter and John uplifting the name of Jesus through a lame man being healed? They took knowledge that they had been with Jesus. When had these priests last seen Peter and John with Jesus? We read in John 18:15, “And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.”
Was Peter uplifting the name of Christ at this time? The cock was crowing. Remember, he was cursing and denying that he knew Christ. These priests marveled at a changed life. Peter had been changed. His transformation had been interrupted by a “stalking cat,” but Christ did not give up on His masterpiece. Peter continued to glorify God even until his death by Nero as a martyr on an upside-down cross. A changed life is a wonderful thing. Go out there and experience it in your life and in the lives of those around you!