1 Peter 3-2 Peter 1

There’s a lot in today’s reading…I wouldn’t want to tackle the authority of husbands…can’t stomach meditating on suffering…I guess I’m left with some true confessions…

I had what would be considered a “typical freshman year” as a Cougar. There was a lot of beer involved and I can only imagine how hard my guardian angel worked to prevent drug use and promiscuity. It could have been extremely damaging and I’m so thankful it wasn’t.

During the summer after that year, I did a lot of reflection and made the decision to quit drinking and pursue Christ. Well, my party friends were not impressed.

So, I can relate to 1 Peter 4:3 and 4 when it says, “You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. Of course, your former friends are very surprised when you no longer join them in the wicked things they do, and they say evil things about you.”

I had indeed had enough…hangovers get old, feeling like a hypocrite is not pretty. For me drinking and going to parties weren’t out of a desire to rebel. It was more about the idol of “gotta have a man”…and men were at parties.

And then there were the evil things that were said and done when I quit partying…being called a “Jesus Freak” and part of the “God Squad”…true statements but they were meant as slams. I received phone calls in the middle of the night from drunk guys asking if their friend was in my room…when he was probably sitting in the room with them.

I suspect I’m not the only one who has suffered the sting of ridicule over poor choices and their natural consequences. Also in today’s reading is 1 Peter 3:9, “Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it.”

I’ve forgiven my former friends and myself. I can even chuckle about our stupidity. Now to bless them and embrace God’s blessing for me too.

Sue

Reading #57 (audio)