1 Peter 1:3-7
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Dear God, as I look at what Peter wanted to communicate to these early members of the church, it seems like his lead-off hitter is to tell them to endure the trials because there is a great reward coming one day. Of course, this makes sense in this context because there was a persecution happening to them that the church today in America (including me) could never understand or appreciate.
As for me, I have never focused on the reward of the afterlife in my relationship with you. First, my reality isn’t really that bad so I am fortunate to not need to focus on heaven in order to emotionally survive my day. There are plenty of people out there in my own community that live with that kind of pain. Yes, one day this struggle will be over. One day, those that live in regions around the world that are experiencing persecution for their faith (I’m thinking about any number of countries including Syria, North Korea, China, etc.) will be free from that persecution. One day, my neighbors who are living in terrible daily situations (from sex trafficking to domestic violence situations) will be able to rest and be at peace, worshipping you in person and in your full glory. And one day my race will be run and I will be home. I think I’m at peace for whenever you have that scheduled for me—whether it is today or 40 years from now. The question is, will I have run my race well? Will I have learned what you needed me to learn and used the talents you gave me to maximum effect for your glory.
Father, thank you that there is something to look forward to when this is all said and done, but thank you also for the course you have laid out for all of us. Thank you for teaching me through struggles. As I think about starting 2019 and how I pray for myself, my wife, and my own children, I pray not that you will make this a good, stress-free year, but that you will make it a year that continues to lead all of us closer to the Center of your heart.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen
Emails to God 