Peter is one of my favorite disciples. He is bold and brash yet doesn't always understand what he says. He is the one who says he would die for Jesus yet denies Christ three times. Jesus reconciles him on the shore after the resurrection and then Peter is big and bold and is the voice for the Gospel in the book of Acts. Peter states he must obey God and not humans. Peter must stand up for mercy and love, even if it upsets the empire. We too are called to be agents of life. To speak for those who have been silenced and to offer justice and mercy to all. How might you be an agent of life this week?

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A pastor once said this in a sermon. "God's grace is always at your left elbow." Years later that has stuck with me. It was with me through 2 surgeries, I have used it in meeting with others. I pondered this with a couple of people in my congregation and one of them had an answer that made so much sense. "If God's grace is at your left elbow, you are at the right hand of God." The right hand in the ancient world was the side of strength, power and blessing. So for God's grace to be at your left elbow, God's right hand is beside you. Love it!

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As we arrive at Easter, we have come through the darkness of Holy Week. The tender moments in the upper room replaced with the fear and frenzy of the Passion on Good Friday, although Jesus remains calm. It reminded me of Psalm 23 and that as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death that God walks with us. A reminder that we must walk through the darkness to get to the light. How can we live in calm and not in fear as we seek to share the light and love of Jesus?

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