I don’t read many books. If I do read, I’m not a good reader. I guess I’m too curious and can’t wait for the end. I read as fast as possible. Most of the time, just the first and last sentence of a paragraph.

One cannot read the Word of God like that. It’s just too dynamic. In one verse, in one sentence, so much is said. That’s why I usually only read one verse a day.

Take verse 17 as an example: You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.

It says that God is our Father. There’s such a lot we can say about this image. A Father who cares and loves so much that He’s willing to send His own Son to die on a cross for a bunch of sinful people so that they don’t have to die themselves for their wrong deeds.

Yet it also tells us of a Father who will not look away from the wrongdoings of His children. An image that we don’t always want to see. Yes, God looks at our wrongdoings. God looks at our good deeds. God looks at our way of life on earth and yes, we will have to take responsibility for that too.

The verse also tells us a little about ourselves. What distinguishes us from people who do not believe in God? We talk to God. We’re in a relationship with God where we would like to have His guidance. We would like Him to hear what’s on our hearts and of course, He wants us to hear what’s on His heart as well.

When I hear this, I wonder if I spend enough time talking to God. Am I calling out to Him enough? Well, if I don’t, I’m going to miss out and make wrong decisions that could cost me dearly.

Then I also hear that I need to be holy here on earth, but is that so? Am I perhaps living so well here in the world that I am not actually looking forward to Jesus’ return to the world?

Maybe I should think about this for a bit and make sure.

Lastly, there is also this command: We must treat God with reverence. He won’t allow us to live a messy life. We must live in such a way that the world can see that we worship a living God and honour Him with everything in us.

Wow, what a wonderful verse! I say this to myself in plain language: I must not take God for a fool. After all, He is the Creator. He is Almighty, and yes, one day I too will have to appear before Him like all the others to please explain.

I must make sure that I spend time with Him regularly so that I can live according to His will. I must honour His Name by my way of doing so that He’ll be pleased with what He sees. And yes, I must not cling too tightly to this earth and its things, because the earth is only a tent dwelling.

Scripture
1 Peter 1:17-21

Reflection
How should you live differently?
What does your life say about the reverence you have for God?
Where are you too attached to the world?

Prayer
Father, there is none like You. I honour You as my Father and I would like to live like Jesus. To You belong all the glory. Help me to live according to Your will and please help me not to be too attached to the world. Amen.