13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
-1 Peter 3:13-18
This verse has been running through my mind all morning. Sometimes I feel super uncertain about what I am supposed to be doing with my life, and God's plan for me to carry that purpose out. The college environment really enforces all of these thoughts, because it is the place where people come to make a career, a title, and an image for themselves to carry with them into their future families and careers.
I've found that it is super easy to fall into a trap of wanting to do what I want to do, rather than listening to God's call for my life and my purpose in His plan. It is easy to get wrapped up in things like reputations, grades, and what major will yield me the greatest pleasure and life of comfortability. But this verse radically shows that all of these thoughts are flat out wrong.
The Lord has never told us to lead a life of comfortability and fulfill our own purposes. And even though God's purposes for our lives can be frightening, as it is said in verse 17, "For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." Even if how we live or what God's purpose for our lives doesn't fit into the life of comfortability that this world idolizes, we should not be tempted by it.
And, how could we not fulfill our Father's desires for us, when they in no way compare to the most terrifying plan God has ever put into place in a human's life - sending his son to Earth with the purpose to die for us? When I think about it this way, I feel embarrassed for not listening to the role God has called me to play in His plans, because it in no way compares to the role His son fulfilled in His life, and subsequently, all of our lives.
Also, this song is great and sums all of this up beautifully.
Happiest of Sundays!
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