“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV).
Devotion:
On the bread aisle, Ellen overheard the chatter of a young boy and the frustrated sighs of his mom beside her. It appeared that all the mom wanted to do was read a label. The toddler’s mission seemed to be this: to eject himself from the baby seat, shimmy down the cart basket, and palpate every package he could grab, asking, “Mommy, what ‘dis?” or “I have it?”
She listened to that toddler V. Mom conversation escalate into high pitched wail and temper tantrum.
“You can have the donuts. Just be quiet.” The embarrassed and frustrated mom consented.
In the checkout line, Ellen watched a probably 8-year-old girl scan the headlines of every magazine in the stand. Her mom appeared to be too busy to notice or she pretended she didn’t see. Ellen cringed as she observed the girl fling her hair over her shoulder and strike a Vogue pose.
Driving home, a hurried driver seemingly tailed her. Deciding to let the rushed person go ahead of her, Ellen cut into the slow lane. When the red light ahead stopped the traffic, she couldn’t help but notice the driver grip her steering wheel with two hands and bang her head against it. Ellen wondered what made the woman so rushed and upset that day.
“Mommy,” her young daughter asked as soon as she slid into the car after school, catching Ellen off guard, “On the playground today, someone said whoever got tagged would get kissed by Billy. Will kissing make a baby?”
Not knowing exactly what to say, Ellen changed the subject. “Hey, I was thinking . . . why don’t we stop by the park on the way home so you can play?” As she sat on the bench watching her daughter run, slide, and swing, Ellen observed her surroundings.
A mom, nursing, lost her flip flop when she chased her active son who ignored her voice and bee lined into the pool area.
She saw two girls hold hands and skip off to the seesaw, leaving another girl arms crossed, head down, and leaning against a tree. A young lady that could have been their babysitter or big sister never seemed to notice. Immersed in her phone, she texted and took the occasional selfie.
Ellen cringed when she noticed a teenage boy and girl publicly display their affection as they sat on top of a table next to a Birthday Princess and her friends eating chocolate cupcakes. Unbelievable. Where’s the decency?
Just when Ellen thought they’d better leave, she heard keys clank against the table. “Sorry I’m late,” a woman’s voice choked. “I had to make one stop after my doctor’s appointment.”
The texting babysitter or big sister barely lifted her head as the woman broke down and sobbed.
Surprised, Ellen thought she recognized the woman to be the hurried driver she had moved over in the lane for on the way home. As Ellen sat there on the park bench, it disturbed her to have seen so many, well, missed opportunities to help, care about, listen to, to be a light for and positively touch someone’s life that day, in this world of pain, trouble, and confusion from so many mixed messages.
Doubt crept into Ellen’s mind. Could I make a difference? Would I have the courage? How would I know what to say? Or when to say it? Or if I should even speak a word at all?
Yet when she caught a glimpse of her baby girl running, swinging, and sliding, then recalling what she had seen, heard, and observed that day, Ellen knew what she must do. She didn’t know how she would do it. But deep inside her core, Ellen resolved this: I cannot stay silent. There are too many needs to overlook. I have the truth—everything I need to live godly. It’s time to share the wealth.
Let’s pray:
Dear Lord, thank You for letting us connect here this morning. Thank You for filling our minds with examples of both the struggles and opportunities that we and the people we brush past face every day. We don’t want to stay silent. You have given us everything we need to be godly. Thank You for entrusting us with the timeless book of Your true wisdom! We want to bring You glory. Thank You for making a way for us to escape the corruption of this world and to participate in the good work You have already prepared for us to do. Fan into flame a holy desire in each one of us to know You more, to dig in to Your Word, and to live remarkably for You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Reflections:
Meditate on our key verses in 2 Peter 1:3-4 to answer the following questions.
1) According to verse 4, what two reasons does Peter give us for being godly?
To _____________ in the _____________ nature.
To _____________ the _______________ in the world caused by _______ desires.
2) Verse 3 illuminates the KEY for us to grow godly and live a remarkable life: through our ______________ of _____________.
3) Why—for what reason—did God call us to be holy (3b)? For His own __________ and __________________.
4) Whose power has given us everything we need to live remarkably (v. 1:3A)? ____________ power
Application Steps:
What actions can I take in response to this message?
- Daily seek wisdom from God’s Word!
- Intentionally mine the Bible in search of God’s promises to strengthen your faith to believe He is working out His best laid plan for your good.
- Pray for God to provide and show you these two things: 1) a friend to grow with and 2) the pre-set opportunities He has already planned for you to use your God gifts.
Power Verse:
“For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:8 NIV).
I originally shared this piece with the ladies of Grace Bible Church Georgetown and MOPS moms.
