Who I am and who you are is shaped by the world we live in. We are who we are because of our parents. Look at how you respond to a crisis. Look at your mannerisms. Sometimes it’s shocking to see how much like our parents we are. 

However, many other things play a role in shaping who we are. Our friends can play a big role. What we see on our screens determines how we will tackle the world tomorrow. The people we engage with every day can push us in a direction. Sometimes not by choice. 

Actually, all impulses that come via our eyes and ears and even our nostrils determine how we’ll go forward. It’s shocking to realise how many impulses we are bombarded with every day. 

How we respond to these impulses and whether we allow them to change our direction can be decisive in where we end up one day. We have a responsibility to make sure that we choose correctly. 

We must understand that we’re not always able to make the right choice. Then it’s time for us to get help. In a world of so many impulses and choices that make an impact on people’s lives, it’s crucial to get reinforcements. 

The Bible has a great impact on who we are and how we walk through life. It helps us think about things and we form our own opinions. We even tell other people how they should go through life. 

And yes, sometimes the Bible is not so easy to understand. Remember the Bible was written for people who lived two thousand years ago. It’s not so easy to bring the message in today’s world.  

Peter did not even always understand Paul who lived in the same period. 16… Some things Paul writes are difficult to understand. 

Paul was a very learned man, and Peter was only a fisherman, and therefore, one can understand why Peter thinks this. But he still tried to understand it, so that the true message shaped him. 

Others didn’t do it, went in the wrong direction and the consequences were not so nice. 16… Irresponsible people who don’t know what they are talking about twist them every which way. They do it to the rest of the Scriptures, too, destroying themselves as they do it. 

The Bible has the greatest influence on our lives. The words and the message are our guidelines and to a large extent our manual of how we must walk the road every day. We have a responsibility to make sure that we read and hear the words correctly. 

Sometimes we need reinforcements and must ask others to explain something. Sometimes it’s hard to know which explanation is correct. That is why we must ask the Holy Spirit to help us because it is our way of living that shows others the way. 

Scripture
2 Peter 3:14-16 

Reflection
Do you allow the Bible to determine your direction?
Do you spend enough time in the Bible for it to guide you?
Do others go in the right direction, because you make sure you hear the Bible correctly? 

Prayer
Father, thank you very much for Your Word and that I am shaped and guided by it. Help me to deal with it responsibly. Amen.