"13-16So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."" (The Message)
One of the questions that author and church consultant Lyle Schaller is fond of asking is, "What year is it in your church today?" He uses that phrase to force church communities to ask about their expectations and actions. Some church's are stuck in the 50's (either 1850 or 1950 depending upon the church) and others might even be stuck in the 90's. You can tell where a church gets stuck because they continue to do things that worked during that time and expect the culture and community around them to respond in the same ways even when the culture and community have changed.
The same question can be asked about an individuals life as well. "What year is it for you today?" Maybe you are living as if you are 16 instead of 56. You might still be trying to work out the insecurities of life and relationships that you felt then even though you are no longer in that situation. Maybe you are 45 and still trying to accumulate things like you did when you were 8 or 28 so that you can have a sense of security about the future. Where ever we are in our life and faith Peter seems to be saying that we should be growing toward holiness. Not a holiness that is better than everyone else but rather a holiness that reflects God in everything that we do.
One of the questions that author and church consultant Lyle Schaller is fond of asking is, "What year is it in your church today?" He uses that phrase to force church communities to ask about their expectations and actions. Some church's are stuck in the 50's (either 1850 or 1950 depending upon the church) and others might even be stuck in the 90's. You can tell where a church gets stuck because they continue to do things that worked during that time and expect the culture and community around them to respond in the same ways even when the culture and community have changed.
The same question can be asked about an individuals life as well. "What year is it for you today?" Maybe you are living as if you are 16 instead of 56. You might still be trying to work out the insecurities of life and relationships that you felt then even though you are no longer in that situation. Maybe you are 45 and still trying to accumulate things like you did when you were 8 or 28 so that you can have a sense of security about the future. Where ever we are in our life and faith Peter seems to be saying that we should be growing toward holiness. Not a holiness that is better than everyone else but rather a holiness that reflects God in everything that we do.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- How old are you: physically, emotionally, in your faith? How old do you act?
- What do you keep doing that no longer is working? Why do you think you keep doing it?
- What support, either people or resources, do you need to grown in your faith?
- What can you beginning doing today that will help you grow into holiness?
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