Expect suffering and glory

Every day we’re asking four questions about part of the Bible. Today Bern Leckie answers:

What did I like about today’s passage?

Peter’s ask seems like a big one – “repay evil with blessing.” Is that even possible? It’s harder than just ignoring evil or pretending it doesn’t affect us. But I love Peter’s encouragement that, based on who we are in Jesus, we can do incredible things like this.

And then people will love us, right? No, that’s not what Peter tells Christians to expect necessarily. We might even suffer for doing good, just as Jesus did.

I’m not liking the idea of suffering, but I am loving that God calls, blesses, strengthens and enables us to live a life like Jesus, being part of his ultimate victory over sin and death. God does not allow suffering in our lives to make us more perfect through misery. We are already holy in Christ. But he does make the power of Christ visible through our lives if we let him shape our responses to unfairness and suffering.

This is glory: the recognition of God. I love that God makes himself recognisable in us without us having to turn into megaphone-wielding proclaimers of the coming kingdom. That might be someone’s job, but I feel that mine is more like being “prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God brings us the power, ability and responsibility to live well, glorifying him. He cares for us, so while we may suffer for doing good, it is not God's intention for us to suffer unbearably. He offers the immediate benefits of spiritual gifts, strength, blessing, power, wisdom, supportive community, the ability to learn and change, and an incredible purpose in life. On top of that, we have eternity with him to look forward to.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

I feel that there may be more situations coming up when I’ll need to be prepared to share about my hope. What should that preparation be? I don’t think God needs me to script a response – with the Spirit’s help, I’m usually OK with words! But I do need to reflect with God on where I have needed and seen hope from him making a difference in my life. And I need to ask myself and God: is hope something I am expressing with my actions as well as words? No-one will ask me about a hope they can’t see! How can I make it more visible?

Who am I going to share this with?

In our multicultural school community, I have felt blessed with opportunities to try and make good things happen despite challenging circumstances. I’m hoping and working for many more. I’m also waiting for people to ask about hope before I share about my source!