Our Challenge

Our Challenge

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“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬-‭12‬, NIV.

Our challenge is to be like-minded, sympathetic, to love one another and be compassionate and humble.

We don’t just put on these traits or pray that they will miraculously appear. We experience them.

We are only able to be like-minded if there is another choice to be had on the table. We choose not to argue and learn how to be humble to agree.

If you have ever planned a party or arranged a gathering via wedding, birthday or even a memorial service with others, you’ll know what I mean. When decisions are being made for the good of another person, everyone has their own opinion on what is best.

Temperaments, personalities and preferences all play apart. Yet, it is in these environments that we get to learn how to be like-minded. The focus ceases to be on oneself and needs to be on the one the group is serving or honoring.

What would be best for the 90-year old’s birthday? How can we serve the bride in an honorable way?

We can say the same in serving Christ. How would Jesus be honored? Is it by our bickering, and fighting over the communion wafers we serve? Or voicing a strong opinion on the music we sing on a Sunday morning?

When we step into humility, not insisting on our own way, we show God’s love. When we surrender our personal preference for Christ, and He is honored.

After all, as believers in the LORD Most High isn’t it for His gaze on us to be favorable? He has told us how this can be accomplished. Be like-minded.

We need to remember as Christians we walk behind King Jesus, not in front of Him. When I think about my position behind Jesus, I have noticed that it has helped me learn to keep my mouth shut.

Living for Jesus, Jesus’ way, is indeed a challenge. But it is also peaceful, grace-filled and full of love.

How are you doing today? Are you being like-minded?

Father,

This is so difficult to do. I desire my way, not necessarily over Your way, but definitely over other people. Help me as I learn to walk in humility and love others as You do.

I desire to be a child of God You can be proud of, and not a proud child.

Walking behind You helps. I can see where You have stepped and know it’s a safe place to rest my foot.

Thank You for trusting and asking us humans to spread Your very important message. It’s actually daunting. But with You, the burden is light.

Continue to lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.

All for Your kingdom.

Amen.