Hanging Together

I take great pride in my humility, he said humbly.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. - 1 Peter 5:6-10

In today’s reading, Peter talks about humility, discipline and suffering.  Resist the temptations of this world and rejoice in the coming glory later, he tells us.

But putting off desires is not something we find easy to do, is it?  

Remember what it felt like when we wanted a new bicycle or toy and had to wait for our birthday or Christmas while all our friends got theirs without waiting?

Peter personifies that desire as the devil doing his work to undermine our humility, creating anxiety that leads us away from God.

We are most vulnerable when we think we are alone in our struggle.  Knowing others are suffering as well makes it easier to bear.  And that is what Peter is saying to console us.

So, I guess the problem we have staying true to our faith is all about hanging with the wrong crowd.  If we surround ourselves with those who are humble and steadfast in their faith, we have a better chance of staying the course with them.

Perhaps, then, the restoration and support we get from God can be obtained now, rather than later.  If we try to resist the temptations of desire while focusing on those who have succumbed to them, we will fail.  

But if we seek God’s help and focus on those who resist along with us, together we will succeed.  

It all depends on what we want for ourselves in this life.  Do we want to live humbly and know God, or do we want our share of glory now, like the son in the parable of the prodigal?

I think we just need to take it one step at a time.  

Today I will resist.  With God’s help.

More to come...