Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Quiet, daily choice Sunday, May 8, 2005 1 Peter 4:13-16 Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed ... if you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed but praise God that you bear that name. The musical group DC Talk published a book several years ago that detailed the lives and deaths of many Christian martyrs. The stories were shocking, inspiring, and strange. I could not remember a time when I felt any threat of death or serious physical persecution because of my Christianity. Although I often pray with gratitude for the freedom to worship without intimidation, I think I don't know what I'm missing. Peter encourages me to embrace opportunities to "participate in the sufferings of Christ." That means speaking up and stepping out, following Jesus, listening for his direction and sometimes disregarding my own safety. I feel pretty thoroughly caught in the quicksand of my comfortable culture. I feel myself sinking, but the mud is subtle and smooth and I forget how easily it can swallow me up. Sometimes though, I do get bored and frustrated and angry with my lukewarm life, and then I wish for a crisis of some kind where I'd be forced to join Jesus in his suffering. That's the easy way out, of course. Jesus gave up everything rich and famous and fine to follow the will of his Father. He rejected Satan's offers in the desert, and thereby avoided bondage. I have not done this as well as Jesus. I have become attached to the world and dependent on things of the world. God gives me new day after new day to change this and choose freedom. Choose this day whom you will serve, he says to me in the morning. I have plans to prosper you and not to harm you. I will never leave you, I will always love you. I made you and I know you. Who will you choose today? Lord, you give me all I need. Forgive my grasping, selfish hands. Wipe them clean and let me raise them and praise you. Love you. Choose you. "; Add      Edit    Delete