It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.

1 Peter 2:15-16

Dear God, what do others see when they look at me? In my case, I almost wonder if they don’t somehow see someone who is better than I am. I get a lot of credit for my job, and I think people are prone to put me on too much of a pedestal. So I guess what I would ask on the other side of this passage is, what do I need to do to ensure that I am being vulnerable enough and showing my flaws so that my life can be useful to you in helping others?

For my part, I’ve learned more from David and Peter in the Bible than I’ve learned from Paul. I’ve learned more from the pastor who shares vulnerable stories about themselves than I’ve learned from pastors who only shared their holiness. I understand that this passage is about striving to be an example, but I have failed and will fail. I think I need to be about using those times to encourage others to deal with the flaws, tragedies, disappointments and sins in their own lives.

Father, to quote a song that I sometimes pray to you, make me a servant, humble and meek. Lord, let me lift up those who are weak. And may the prayer of my heart always be, make me a servant today.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen