I did some research on the people who watch our online services on YouTube. I wanted to know if we were hitting the mark and where we might need to adjust, so that God’s Word put in today’s words can take root.

I casually asked what topics they would like to learn more about. The question was put in such a way that they had to tell us what challenges they were facing and with which we might be able to help.

The topics that landed on the table were quite predictable. People want to know more about God. People want to know how Jesus could die for sinful people and, of course, how we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit.

People struggle with knowing how to live as ordinary children of God here on earth. Or rather: how does one live the will of God in a (difficult) world today?

When Peter then tells us:” ²²Now that you’ve cleaned up your lives by following the truth, love one another as if your lives depended on it”, this raises quite a few question marks in many people’s minds.

Do I really live my life in a way that is acceptable to God? Do I do as He wants? Am I living the life God had in mind while He was weaving me together in my mother’s womb?

The truth is that most of us are failing here. Our tongues are just too loose and the guards are often found asleep which causes a lot of damaged people around us.

When I look at the things I’ve done wrong, the bad choices, and where I gave in to pressure, I have to hang my head in shame. I know there are times I don’t pass the test.

Then you want to cover yourself in sackcloth and ashes, but we mustn’t do that. If we do, we’ll play into the hands of the devil. He wants us to get discouraged and give up.

Let’s build a bridge over this. Let’s take heart and try again. Let’s try again and again and learn from our mistakes. Let’s make plans and ask others to help us do the right things.

Let us never lose the dream. Let us get up every time we fall. Let’s keep going and try again and again. Somewhere along the way we will become stronger and gain wisdom so that we may not make the same mistake again next time.

Let us get up every morning with the dream of doing what is right. Let’s rush into life every morning and say: “Today I’m going to do what makes God’s heart happy. Today I’m going to do what’s right. Today I’m going to make a difference in many people’s lives and only sow God’s love. No matter what they do!”

Scripture
1 Peter 1:22-25

Reflection
Where are you going off course?
Where should you live differently?
How are you going to do it?

Prayer
Father, I want to live a life that makes You happy. I want to show the people around me how happy You are about me. Help me to live like this. I ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen.