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 Living life, loving God Sunday, April 10, 2005 1 Peter 1:17-19 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. History goes all the way back. My farthest forefathers aren't from Germany at all but from the Garden of Eden. And my twenty-first century way of life is not so much different from that of Adam, of Eve, of Cain, of Abel. Disobedience, selfishness, insecurity, and fear rule my life far too often. My friend Don asked me yesterday if I am becoming wiser. Both of us are getting older, we know that for sure. We encourage each other often in our work and our prayers. But neither of us is impartial like our Father; we love to give each other praise and honor, and receive it back. What will our Father say about us? Peter tells me to live life on earth like a stranger. This world is not my home. Please, he says, don't get settled or dependent on anything. Be dependent on God, and be afraid to become dependent on anything else. Even the praise of my Christian friend. I love to live my life. I want to breathe deep of the earth's air and soak in the colors of the rainbow and fresh flowers of spring. I hold my children close and kiss my wife. All things bright and beautiful draw me in. My joys and sufferings alike resolve into something peaceful, something that seems powerful, permanent and pure. But don't stop there, Peter says. What you hold in your hand is sifting sand, a daffodil dying as it's picked. Your money comes and goes and rolls and flows through the holes in the pockets of your clothes. Look deeper, and don't settle. Yes, beIng MATTERs. And yellow tulips are stunningly beautiful. But don't get too comfortable, Dave. This world is not your home. Oh Jesus, show me how to live. Open my eyes to what you'd have me see, and lead me in your way everlasting. "; Add      Edit    Delete