Devotional Text

Pastor David’s devotional for January 26, 2022

I Peter 2:9-10
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,[a] in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

A few days ago, 11 of the staff members of our church were at Camp Potosi for a staff retreat. Upon arrival it was very evident that for a couple of the members of the staff, Camp Potosi was like a second home. Simply by being there, an inner peace was evident. And those who have that inner peace while being at camp were not quick to leave at the end of the retreat. Camp Potosi is a happy place for them, a place that gives them an inner peace. Is there a place you go that gives you a sense of inner peace? Think for a moment about the place and what it is that about the place that gives you inner peace.

When asked “What is the greatest commandment?” Jesus said all the law can be summarized with these words: love the Lord our God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and like that love your neighbor as yourself. As Christians, we get it. We understand that the Christian life is one of loving God and loving people. We get it. Even so, it is easy to miss in these words the importance of loving ourselves too: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The love Jesus is talking about is an agape love—a love that is unconditional and always seeks wellbeing. Agape love always shows itself in action. Love is as love does. So, what are ways you care for yourself and your own wellbeing? For me, it is simple. I maintain a healthy diet so I will feel well, I spend time getting my hands dirty in the garden (one of my happy places) and I spend time almost every day in silence, listening to my life and for the still small voice of God who loves me and values my life.

Agape love and the commitment to our own wellbeing brings about an inner peace. This peace is a sense of contentment with our lives, with who we are as children of God, and with how and where it is that God is leading us.

Of course, the world in which we live can tear away at our sense of inner peace. We know that is true because when we experience inner peace, we are slow to want to leave. What are the kinds of things that tear away at inner peace in your life?

In I Peter 2:9-10, Peter reminds us of how life can make us feel like nobodies. It is part of living in a fallen world. People don’t always act lovingly toward one another, and often we are made to feel as though our lives aren’t that important. The messages of this world can tear away at our sense of wellbeing and being at peace within our own skin. Poor self-esteem, self-loathing, the inability to forgive ourselves of things we regret, and not feeling good about ourselves can result. When you don’t feel good about yourself, what helps you overcome the restlessness within?

I Peter reminds us that we are more than our worst moments, and more than our insecurities. Deep within us, at the very core of our being, we are “Somebody” because we are children of God. In other words, “we are loved by God, forgiven by God and called by God to be love in this world.” You are a beloved child of God! While we may know this simple biblical truth and may say it about the lives of others, sometimes it can be hard to embrace this truth about ourselves. Are there practices, or things you do that help remind you of who you are? When you think about who you are do you think of yourself in the way I Peter describes: chosen by God, like royalty to God, a holy person, somebody loved and able to proclaim what God has done for us?

Realities we all live with include times in life when inner peace is fleeting at best, maybe even no where to be found. In a world like ours, with all the problems that confront us, it is easy to forget who we are. What are things we can do to help each other remember we are beloved children of God? How about giving it a try today?

God bless you and stay well!
Pastor Dave