I’m going to write this, but I might delete it… Sometimes a girl just needs permission. ?
That is the comment I wrote to myself before plunging into this post for Five Minute Friday. Because writing takes courage. And if you are a writer I want to encourage you to write even if you’re a little afraid of what you might say and what others might think.
Today’s prompt: Visitor. I’ve been thinking of 1 Peter a lot over the past year. Here are some of my thoughts…
I don’t think I need to explain to anyone what I mean when I say that the past year has been really difficult in the USA. Division seems to be around every corner. Hate grows. Fear grows with it.
And I am disturbed.
But I am not so much disturbed by the fact that the political parties continue to grow further apart. Am I angry about it? Yeah. But I’m not surprised.
I am disturbed by the division and hatred poured out between liberal and conservative Christians.
I think sometimes American Christians have forgotten that this world is not our home, but we are merely visitors to it. (1 Peter 1:17; Hebrews 11:13-16) I have observed that some seem to think the Kingdom of God has come in the form of the government of the United States of America and not in the form of Jesus Christ.
And hope is misplaced.
When hope is misplaced, fear is the result.
But our home is not here. We are not made for this fallen, crippled earth. We are not made for a place of sin, or a man made government, but for a perfect heaven and a perfect earth where there is no more illness, tears, or hate.
How are we supposed to live on earth then, if we are not striving for an earthly kingdom?
Peter puts it simply: love one another. (1 Peter 4:7-8)
Paul wrote it a different way: consider others first. (Philippians 2:3-4)
Do not go after your own passions or your own soap boxes, but love one another until it hurts and you cannot love anymore.
Serve one another as Jesus served. Whatever your political affiliation – your stance on gay marriage, your beliefs on health care systems, etc. – love and serve one another.
And above all, do not forget that our mission on earth is not to create a perfect government, but it is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 1:23)
Love your neighbor as you love yourself. You’re so right—we need to love one another. I’m preaching this weekend and the text ends with Jesus proclaiming “that they all shall be one.” Easier said than done. But God calls us to love each other and to be united as a community of faith. I’m in the #3 spot this week.
So much easier said than done, but I believe it is the high calling of all Christians. I pray your sermon goes well and that God is glorified!
Living a life of love like Jesus loved us does not leave any room for fear or hate. Well said.
Thanks, Carol.
I love reading what you write! Thank you for sharing. Love is the answer. I have been listening to a potcast this week about loving others. We as Christians often come off as judgemental and that is on us. We should be showing the world how to love!
Thank you so much. We do come off judgmental. It is heart breaking. Praying for more love in your life!
This should not be deleted at all! It is so true and thanks for sharing it. https://writeitout2017.wordpress.com/2017/05/27/five-minute-friday-visit/
Thanks Heather!
Leah, you are so right! The current climate is everything Christianity’s supposed to NOT be.
Jesus is coming, and He’s not very happy.
31 at FMF this week.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/05/your-dying-spouse-315-victory-fmf.html
Mmmm… I said something about Jesus not being happy with Christians to my family last week and was met by dead silence. Thank you for saying that. And I pray that I will be listening to Him before anything else. Bless you, Andrew.
Leah, please don’t delete this! It’s powerful, important, and true: “But our home is not here. We are not made for this fallen, crippled earth. We are not made for a place of sin, or a man made government, but for a perfect heaven and a perfect earth where there is no more illness, tears, or hate.” No human government will bring heaven. We bring heaven as ambassadors o f Jesus. Thanks, Leah!
Amy, thank you so much for the encouragement! I am not deleting this. 🙂 Just felt like I couldn’t write it unless I gave myself permission to not post it, if you know what I mean. 😉 I am honored that you read my words today!
Please don’t delete this post. If we’d all treat each other with respect, listen more and talk less, and then when we do talk we’d talk to the other person in the way we’d want them to talk to us, the world would be a better place. Thanks so much for taking the time to write this. Have a wonderful and blessed weekend. 🙂
Susan, I won’t delete it! 🙂 You’re right, listening is so important. I was thinking the same thing – actually I read an article about the importance of listening in Christianity Today yesterday. We feel we must talk more to be understood, when maybe listening is the key. Bless you!
Leah, thank you for well written words that call us to remember that this world is not our home, but that we are pilgrims passing through. Sometimes we stumble over the dichotomy of living in this world but not being of this world. May we always look to Jesus as our example of choosing life priorities, and like Him, do and say what our Father does and says. -Alice “visit”-ing from spot 5 at FMF this week.
Alice, thank you so much for visiting. 🙂 I stumble just as much as anyone trying to live here, but not be of here. Looking to Jesus with you!!
Yes, yes, and yes! And that last point? YES!
Thanks for cheering me on, Tondra!! This is super encouraging.
Leah, Thank you for not deleting it! I didn’t get to reading this until now! Your words speak straight to my heart. “When hope is misplaced, fear is the result.” Yes! If the energy invested in screaming and controlling out of fear was poured into truly loving God and then our neighbor, oh what a different place this would be!