I Peter 3-4 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is 1 Peter 3:1-4:19.

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and  a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing” (I Peter 3:8-9).

How many of my own conflicts could be resolved if I would simply follow this instruction? If I sought harmony rather than vindication, if I tried to grasp what the other was feeling rather than vent my feelings, if I viewed my brethren as friends rather than enemies, if I offered compassion rather than vengeance, if I humbled myself rather than lifting myself up, and if I honored others even when they put me down rather than speaking in kind, then I’m guessing most of the conflicts I have had would just go away. And then I would know peace.

Instead, I often push that responsibility off on others. They are the ones that need to straighten up. Before I seek harmony, strive for sympathy, bestow friendship, offer compassion, and humble myself, I explain my demands. Here is what you must do before I will strive for these things. Guess what happens. The conflict just gets worse.

Here is the sad part. I don’t want conflict. I want peace. I want joy. Why can’t we all just get along? The problem is not that I want conflict. The problem is I want peace on my terms. I want peace on the basis that I come out looking like a rose, never once having to admit any of my own faults or ever trying to understand what the other person has endured from me. So, I keep pressing on trying to get peace by forcing others to be subject to me. But what I’m learning is that just doesn’t work. Maybe I should try God’s way and maybe that would get me a little more peace. What do you think?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click here to add your input.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Today’s reading is Matthew 13:1-14:36.

Jesus’ example really hit me where I needed it today. In Matthew 14:1-12, Jesus’ cousin John was beheaded, humiliated, and buried. In Matthew 14:13, Jesus was withdrawing to be by Himself because of this. Yet, when He arrived at the “desolate place” the crowds had beat Him. There they were in need of a shepherd.

I certainly believe Jesus had every right to say, “Not right now.” In fact, later that day, Jesus does take care of Himself  while letting others endure some hardship for a while (Matthew 14:22-25). But that is not what Jesus did here. Though Jesus was mourning and wanting to connect with His Father, He saw the crowds and had compassion. He healed their sick. 

I need to remember this. I can sometimes take caring for myself into selfishness and self-centeredness. I can get so caught up in me that I simply can’t be bothered with other people, no matter their connection to me or their needs. I can do this in my family, in my neighborhood, and even in the congregation.

In fact, it strikes me that my struggle with just reaching out to folks I meet simply through conversation and hopefully turning to spiritual matters is bound up in this. I can get so bound up in my fear of rejection that I don’t try to talk to folks and that means never sharing the good news with them. 

I need to work on this. Too often I want to stay in my own desolate place instead of having compassion on the crowds. I need to work on this today.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Romans 11:1-12:21.

Paul’s admonition to the Gentiles reminded me of how too many Christians behave today. In Romans 11:17-24, Paul talked about how the Gentiles were the grafted in shoots to the vine and the Jews, the natural shoots, had been cut off making room for the Gentiles. He then anticipated the potential arrogance of the Gentiles. He reminds them that if the natural branches might be cut off for not submitting to the root, then they can as well.

This made me think about how Christians can behave toward the world. We became Christians because we recognized we were sinners in need of a Savior. We laid out our brokenness before God and asked Him to mend us. So He started His work of grace in our lives. We started cleaning up. Our lives started looking better and better. Sadly, at this point, some of us look out at those who have not yet come to Jesus and instead of looking with eyes of mercy from the been there, done that perspective, we looked askance with eyes that said, “What is wrong with you? You should be more like me.” 

Forgiveness is no reason for arrogance. If our lives have been cleaned up in Christ, it is not because we are great but because God has been great through us. We need to remember from where we came. We need to remember by whose power we have come so far. Then, instead of looking at all those we think don’t deserve what we have, we need to remember how little we deserved it and look toward them with God’s love, letting our prayer and our heart’s desire be for their salvation.

Forgiveness is no reason for arrogance. It is every reason for mercy, compassion, and love.

***Question: How do you overcome arrogance in your spirituality?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC