Archive for December, 2006

1 Peter 2:21-25 (New Living Translation)

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

He had a purpose for His death. He had a plan. And part of that plan was for ME. To make it possible for me to live for what is right. I was really hit this morning with just how ungrateful it must seem (and rightfully so) for me to continue to dawdle and dabble in my cherished sins – things like gossip, criticism, overeating, and the like.

Several years ago I went to see The Passion of the Christ with my husband and a couple of friends. When I left the theater I could hardly speak. That was the first time in my life I think I truly felt the impact of what Christ did. For me. If I keep that image in my mind, and based on the scripture above, he did all that so I could be dead to sin and live for what is right.

Lord, forgive me for easily dismissing my sinning without thought of my purpose in life. I am so grateful for your ready willingness to forgive me and to continue to set me on the path you’ve got planned. I am so excited to see where it takes me.

I have been called to do good. It seems like it’s the right season to get in the spirit of doing good for others. May you be so blessed as to be able to do what you were called to do!