I sometimes feel like I have lost a lot in my life. Sometimes it seems worse than it is and I suppose it's because it really comes down to what I describe as a loss. The only important thing I have lost is relationships.
Some of the relationships I have lost have been lost just by the "normal" growing up and moving on sort of thing, and for these I don't feel such a burden for. It's the ones that were torn from me in a chaotic and unholy way that makes my heart break and makes me question all I am.
I have found a great place of peace now, after the the turbulence in my life after the divorce, then break-up with John. I still love and miss John and pray that he finds his way back to a place under God's protection but I am beginning to understand what God has in store for me (key word-BEGINNING), and He is revealing what it is I need to do to be ready for this next adventure. So with that said 1 Peter is what this is all about...
I'm studying 1 Peter right now, on my own. I've taken the advice of one of my professors and have begun reading a book of the Bible, the same book everyday for a month, then moving onto another book the next month (if that's too much, he suggests splitting the book into sections and reading one section for a month then the next for a month until the book is done. This is especially helpful for large books like Matthew). I've found something new to ponder almost every time I read it. Right now I am stuck (for lack of better word) on a section in the first chapter.
1 Peter 1:13-16
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”"
Peter has always been one of my favorite New Test. peeps. which is why I started studying there and man, is it speaking to me. I've always tried to do the right thing and live a holy life but I don't know how inspired I've been to do so. Know what I mean? I wonder how much I have done out of a sense of duty and avoidance of feeling guilt (my arch nemesis). I know it's not always been this way; off and on I guess, but it has been like this for the past year or so... well, up until last month.
It's hard to live a holy when your not inspired to do so. What are things that would keep a person from inspiration in this subject? I know my number one would be the people I'm surrounding myself with and my number two would be guilt/shame.
If I spend all my time with someone who is constantly compromising in spiritual matters and the definition for holy is changing especially when this person is proclaiming to be a "Christian". It's easy for someone to start doing the same thing and compromise even when this person knows it's not the Truth... For me, this is where guilt and shame (and not to mention resentment) start to claim it's property on my heart and soul.
It's hard, I know, to get yourself out of a situation like this
but the weight of needless guilt and shame can be debilitating and start to gnaw away at all your relationships especially the one with Jesus.
It's much easier to be inspired to live a holy life when you surround yourself with others who are longing for and actively seeking to live a holy life like Peter insists upon. If you surround yourself with these people you'll be inspired because you'll start to see the Holy Spirit working in their lives.
READ YOUR BIBLE!!!!!
Nothing, short of the Father standing before you will inspire like reading, studying, speaking, praying, meditating on, and writing His word.
At the end of the verses I quoted earlier it says "For it is written...". It is my opinion Peter sadly understates this. It is not merely written... it is written,re-written, re-written, and re-written. And it's not like some random dude in the Old Test. wrote it, it was a direct quote from God spoken to Moses and Aaron. Those are some big names yo. And not only that but Leviticus 20:8 states God said "Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord who makes you holy". There's the answer to the question of how to live a holy life.
Follow the ways of the Lord and He will make you holy.
Blessings,
~Jenna
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