To This You Were Called
1 Peter 2:21-23 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, that you should follow in his steps. 22"He committed no sin, leaving you an example, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
I wrote in my post of November 1st, "One thing I know about the Bible is that it tells the truth. The heroes are all flawed; their mistakes are there for all to see."
This morning I read the text from 1 Peter, and the words, "To this you were called," resonated as I thought of my own flaws.
I think I have figured out why some people look up to me. I think it must be because I'm quiet. There's a verse in Proverbs that always makes me laugh, "Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut they seem intelligent." Prov. 17:28 NLT. It's true--the moment I open my mouth I prove the point--if I am a hero at all I am a flawed one. I'm not as good a listener as I wish and am prone to reacting to a part of what someone is saying to me, then not even hearing the rest. I could go on; there is quite a list.
I often think of a quote I heard at a Peacemakers seminar: "Never be surprised at the sin in yourself, or the sin in other people." It's very freeing and very true.
I thank God for scriptures that tell me that in Christ I am a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17) and promise that he will complete the good work he's begun in me (Phil.1:6) ! There is hope-- and more than hope--an assurance, that no matter how many times we fall flat on our faces, we are only down and not out.
"To this you were called...that you should follow in his steps."
I have a long way to go before my feet mirror my hero's foot prints, but I know what I am called to and I'm pressing on...
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, that you should follow in his steps. 22"He committed no sin, leaving you an example, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
I wrote in my post of November 1st, "One thing I know about the Bible is that it tells the truth. The heroes are all flawed; their mistakes are there for all to see."
This morning I read the text from 1 Peter, and the words, "To this you were called," resonated as I thought of my own flaws.
I think I have figured out why some people look up to me. I think it must be because I'm quiet. There's a verse in Proverbs that always makes me laugh, "Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut they seem intelligent." Prov. 17:28 NLT. It's true--the moment I open my mouth I prove the point--if I am a hero at all I am a flawed one. I'm not as good a listener as I wish and am prone to reacting to a part of what someone is saying to me, then not even hearing the rest. I could go on; there is quite a list.
I often think of a quote I heard at a Peacemakers seminar: "Never be surprised at the sin in yourself, or the sin in other people." It's very freeing and very true.
I thank God for scriptures that tell me that in Christ I am a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17) and promise that he will complete the good work he's begun in me (Phil.1:6) ! There is hope-- and more than hope--an assurance, that no matter how many times we fall flat on our faces, we are only down and not out.
"To this you were called...that you should follow in his steps."
I have a long way to go before my feet mirror my hero's foot prints, but I know what I am called to and I'm pressing on...
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