7.27.12 "Leader-less or Lead-able?"

Welcome to Friday’s POG Blog.  My prayer for us today is that God will open our eyes and hearts to see what He has for us in today’s reading:  Father, bless each of us as we read Your Word and share thoughts with one another in today’s blog.  May we be open to Your leading this day as we surrender ourselves and our agendas to You; we receive Your agenda for us this day.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen! Today’s Scripture is 1 Peter 3: 15-18a,

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.  For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.  For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”

Have you ever had a day where you were just irritable, maybe angry or hurt and lashed out – at anyone from your spouse to the young gentleman loading groceries into your car?  I definitely have (more than I care to admit)!  That behavior on my part has never caused anyone to ask me why I exhibit hope in adversity.  Ever.  Probably because I’m not exhibiting hope in adversity!

On the other hand, if I am going through a tough time and someone sees hope in me despite my circumstances, they just might ask why I can hope in what might seem to be a hopeless situation.  In that instance, I have two options for response:  1) I can pompously wave my hand and smugly say to them that I have Jesus and if they don’t then they better seek Him out or they’ll never have any chance of hope; or 2) I can live as it says in 1 Peter 3: 15, “Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master.  Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.” (The Message)

When I choose to speak to others about Jesus in an arrogant manner, I render myself leaderless…clueless…aimless.  By choosing arrogance, I am remaining a victim of my brokenness by closing my heart to Jesus’ love and I am perpetrating brokenness in others by not sharing the truth of Jesus’ Love for all God’s children!  How can Jesus lead someone like that?  But when I “keep my heart at attention, in adoration before Christ” then I will be ready to give a gentle, humble, loving answer to everyone when they ask the reason for the hope I exhibit.  Then I am someone Jesus can lead!

Well, there ya go.  My thoughts on today’s reading.  Does this topic resonate with anyone else?  I would love to know what God is bringing to your heart!  What is He saying to you about being ready to generously share the reason for your hope – Jesus?

Jennifer