Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed. But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.
2 Peter 3:3-10

Dear God, some Christians are uncomfortable with this passage because they don’t want to deal with the idea that Peter didn’t understand the second coming. If scripture is inerrant, then how do I deal with Peter’s errancy? But in this case, I don’t know that Peter was wrong as much as he was sharing his theory. Now, he would probably have been shocked to learn that I would still be sitting here 2,000 years later still waiting for your return. But there’s something comforting in Peter’s mistakes.

For me, Peter is the living embodiment of what you value. He allows his passion and love for you to both lurch the church forward into history and then to get him into trouble or the wrong situations. For example, just before Pentecost, he seemingly abruptly decides that it’s up to them to fulfill the prophecy and replace Judas, which they do by casting lots and picking Matthias. But history tells us it was likely actually Paul who fulfilled that prophecy. Then he went on to deliver an amazing prayer at Pentecost. I could go on and on with stories about him. My point is, he lived a little recklessly, but sometimes that’s what you need, even if it comes with some hubristic or foolish mistakes.

Father, I am not a reckless person. I am not a bold person. I don’t know if you necessarily want me to be given the role you have for me in your body. Whether I am or I’m not intended to be more like Peter, please help me to not judge the Peters in your body so harshly, but to do what I can to support them. And help me to live completely into the role you have for me to play.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen