"For this
you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you leaving you an
example, that you should follow in his step." -1 Peter 2:21
We see the
word “called” several times in the New Testament.
We also see the idea expressed without the
word actually being used. The idea that
God invites us to fellowship is appealing.
The invitation out of darkness is reasonable. The call to holiness is
exciting, but when Peter calls us to submission and suffering that is
depressing. Isn’t life hard enough? Do I have to suffer as well? Why would
God expect such a thing? Aren’t we free
in Christ? Sometimes we suffer
injustice.
Peter says
we are not permanent residents here. He
even calls us aliens. As citizens of
heaven we have the honor of standing in for Jesus. The world cannot see God, they do not know
God, but you do and you get to represent him to the world.
Like Jesus
we surrender our will for God’s will.
This means we decide to trust him on these matters. We decide he knows us and he knows the
situation and has invited us to be where we are at this time.
The question
is not that we suffer as everybody suffers but that our suffering has a
purpose. He even says when we stand the
test we receive his approval.
We will
never understand suffering. We don’t
seek it, but we should trust God to know what is best for us and the world
around us.
Dear Father-
I come
praising your name. I know you know
everything. I know you know me. I know you love me. So
why do I argue with you so much?
I am sorry,
I want to please you. Help me, Father,
to be able to say not my will but thine be done. Help me to mean it when I say it.
Forgive me.
In the name
of your son our perfect example, Amen.
Paul Shero
San Angelo,
Texas
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