For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the crossso that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

1 Peter 2:21-25

Dear God, I wrote a letter to a friend yesterday whom will be moving soon. I told him how I admire him. He did a lot to serve our town, but some people reviled him because he was the publisher/editor of the local paper, and he would write editorials that took strong positions on things, oftentimes against what our general community consensus supported. He took principled stands even if it might cost him politically or even economically. He’s a good man.

I was listening to a Christian podcast yesterday and they were talking about how they tried to build an economic model for their ministry in a way that would enable them to take principled stands on issues without tying their income to it because they realized the temptation of saying things to tickle the ears of those who pay them.

As for me, when Peter talks about suffering for you, I am challenged. Do I really sacrificially follow you. You went to your death and separation between the Jesus part of you and the Father part of you for me. What am I willing to do for you?

Father, help me to know what to do at any given moment. Inspire me to speak your truth. Give me visions for what you want me to do that I might not yet have thought of. Be glorified through my life.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen