Saturday, August 11, 2012
1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
BE PREPARED
In various trials, Peter urged us to look to the goal. But for any and all other days, too, preparation is needed. Just as in athletic events the mind-set is so important, so also in real life, too, it is important to have the right mind-set. The old evil foe is a master at creating spiritual "attention deficit disorder," getting us to bounce from one distraction to another, perhaps presenting one "crisis" after another that just must be handled before we can look up or look ahead.
Peter knew what it meant to be unprepared in the High Priest's courtyard, as one person after another put the pressure on. So he would have us use also the good times to look up and look ahead as a preparation for action. Look ahead to Christ's second coming, and look up, for it is our redemption approaching. This is what keeps us from getting distracted by the evil desires which our ignorant sinful human nature still ignites in us. Looking to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith means throwing off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles (Hebrews 12:1). Looking to Him who called us, means reflecting Him in our thoughts, words, and deeds.
May He shine on us this day and tomorrow, that we may reflect His holiness to others.
