Reflection: We don’t often sit around fires, perhaps only recreationally on a cold winter’s night. But Pitjantjatjara people of Australia who read the story of Peter’s denial around a fire, had cause to question: “At whose fire are we sitting?” Do we align with those who deny the Christ? Those mocking, or afraid to speak out their allegiance for fear of persecution? Or with those welcoming the Christ and pledging loyalty, no matter the cost of people’s reaction? In face-to-face cultures people can more easily observe our hypocrisy or our sincerity as not much can be hidden from view. Sometimes it takes courage to say, “I am His, and He is mine”. Jesus said, “If you tell others that you belong to me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you are my followers. But if you reject me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you don’t belong to me.” At whose fire are you sitting?
Prayer: Dear Father, help me to remember I’ve been bought with a price and so never to be ashamed of you.