I am grateful for Your long-suffering love, Father. Where would I be without You? I would surely be lost. Though I so often am unsteady, You are my rock. May I stand beside You each day and strive to be like Your Son in everything I say and do. Amen.

John 1:14 (<<click here to read the passage)

I was a part of a group of boys who ended up in the principal’s office when I was in the 5th grade, for running in the hall. Parents were called as we suffered the consequences for disregarding the rules of safety.

If we exceed the speed limit and a police officer pulls us over, we often suffer for our actions by receiving a ticket.

Over the course of our lives, if we overindulge and avoid exercise, it is a distinct possibility that our bodies will suffer from all kinds of potential reactions as a result of our misdeeds and neglect.

I could go on and on for we all have suffered in some way for things we have said or done that were out of line. And truly we deserved whatever punishment we received.

But here’s the question…have you ever suffered for doing good?

The second portion of the note from my study Bible* regarding the first few words of verse 14. (And the Word (Christ) became flesh… AMP; So the Word became human… NLT) states that by the Word becoming flesh, becoming human, Christ became the perfect example as a model of what we are to become, he shows us how to live and gives us the power to live that way (1 Peter 2:21).

Peter’s words from the noted reference read as follows:

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. 1 Peter 2:21 NLT

Hmmm…I would say that for most of us, that is a lot easier said than done. I know I’m pushing the obvious, but I can say that I would stand for what is right and that I would do the right thing but when push came to shove…would I?

We all would like to think we would…but would we?

In school, a student who just doesn’t fit in with the crowd is once more being ostracized. We want to sit with our friends but that still small Voice in our heart of hearts suggests we sit with the rejected student. Do we just ignore the Voice…or will we sit with someone who needs a friend?

On my bus, on occasion, I hear students using words such as “gay” and “retarded” in very demeaning ways. Do I pretend I don’t hear them, or do I call them out?

It’s easy to sit back and act as if everything is hunky-dory but if it’s not…what do we do?

Of course, these examples are pretty mild. But what would we do if someone went off on a profanity-laced tirade about how there is no God and that people who think that way just need to get a life? Would we stay tight-lipped, just wanting to avoid any confrontation? Do we lay into them, yelling that they are the one who needs to get a life? Or do we patiently…lovingly…share why we disagree and see where the Lord leads the conversation?

The Word – Christ – is the perfect example for us and models what we can become by showing how to live. And – here’s an important part we cannot miss – He not only shows us how to live but gives us the power to live that way. He empowers us to stand strong but only if we stand in Him.

Lord Jesus, help us to closely follow Your example and to suffer for doing good if that’s what it takes as we follow in Your steps. Amen.

Feb 16th, 2021, Tues, 7:49 pm