What kind of life to you want to live? What do you want to do while you are here on earth? Do you want to accomplish great things? Do you want to live in peace? Do you want to be remembered in a certain way?
Eugene H. Peterson, who is the author of The Message, is the pastor / teacher / scholar who put together a version of the Bible that is a reading Bible, meant to help us gain new interest in reading the Bible. It is not meant to replace the study Bibles which are so helpful to us, but to enhance the use of the Bible. Dr. Peterson tells us that Peter seems to have been a natural leader. Notice how often, when listing the disciples, Peter’s name is the first to be mentioned. His influence was great in the early church because of his charismatic personality. Peter could easily have been the most powerful of Jesus’ disciples. Instead, as a humble servant of Jesus he was a witness to the new life he had found in Jesus. Peterson tells us that Peter stayed out of the center and did not “wield power.” Peter tells us that God does not want anyone lost. God is giving everyone space and time to change. He reminds us in this reading that no one is forgotten. God has his eye on each of us and is determined to keep us obedient. Here are Peter’s requests for the early church as essential to lead a holy life, and we can consider them just as important today:
· Do your very best to be found living at your best – in purity and peace.
· Be on guard – lest you lose your footing.
· Grow in grace and understanding of our master and savior.
Have we heard this before? Is Paul giving us instructions, just as he gave them to Timothy and Titus and their followers?
A friend of mine thought that marriage would be like playing “Barbie doll” perhaps, but it takes a lot of work to make it happen. Is this what Peter is trying to tell us about our Christian life?
One of my favorite verses from Proverbs:
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go. He’s the one who will keep you on track.”I would encourage you to read today’s suggested scripture, and think about all that Peter is trying to say to us as Christ’s followers.
Marilyn Holleron
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