Focus

Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.

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Read

1 Peter 1:3-9 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

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Reflect

Sometimes when I’ve been by myself for long periods of time or have spent time in the quiet, and suddenly find myself among friends, I have outbursts. It’s as if a flood of verbiage comes spilling out of my mouth, like all the words I’ve rationed come exploding out at once. In my excitement at reconnecting with someone, they’re often hit with this joyful verbal assault. I want to tell every story and make every joke and ask you every question about every member of your family and how’s your job going, and please, tell me about your dog! Now that we’re in quarantine with the threat of pandemic in front of us, heaven help the first friend I run into at the grocery store next week!

Reading Peter’s words remind me of that same pent-up excitement. Most versions of this text are translated much the same way — with run-on sentences that leave a person breathless if you try and read them out loud. I wonder if that’s how Peter felt putting his words to parchment. In talking about the great living hope we have as believers, Peter can’t control his gushing about a Messiah who promises an inheritance of a kingdom that already honors and glories Jesus Christ. Isn’t that how we all should be? Knowing the truth about Jesus should fill up our minds, hearts, and souls in such a way that our joy in our Savior just bubbles over at the first chance we get to share.

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Pray

Faithful God, we give you thanks for your son Jesus, and the living hope we have through him. Help us to remember the breathless exuberance that comes with being a follower of Christ. Let us share our excitement with those who need to hear it most. Amen.

Go with God!