November 7 - 1 Peter 1: Exiles & Strangers

Imagine being one of the recipients of Peter's letter. One of the exiled Christians "forced to leave their homes... living as strangers...holy misfits in a neighborhood of people who rejected the radical message of [Christ]" (66LL).  Read this first chapter through this lens of being alone, missing the comforts that home represents, longing to be with like-hearted people. Perhaps it's not too difficult, not too far off for you to imagine.

Now, how would you hear Peter's words that in your emotional and physical state of longing to belong, you are not missed or forgotten by God, that He has His eye on you, that He will keep you obedient and that everything good from the Father is yours (v. 1). Would you experience comfort in your longing or just more longing to find rest in these truths?

Then, Peter tells these exiles that they've been given a new life (did they ask for one?) - with everything to live for (v. 3) and that one day they'll have it all, a life healed and whole (v. 4).  In their shoes, would you have hopeful expectation? Or, in your aloneness and despair, would you feel the emptiness of disbelief that this could ever be true in your life?

And after sharing these promises, Peter tells you to "roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready" to receive this gift of life "energetic and blazing with holiness" (v. 13-16).  Are you ready to embrace this new reality, this mysterious life of exile that doesn't feel like home and isn't coming through for you now?

What does this stir in you? Does it hit you that this is your life that Peter's talking about and that this challenge is issued to you and me today?

"Too many of My followers prepare their minds for comfort.  I want you to prepare your mind for action.  Live in the tragic gap between desire and reality, between what you want and what is now available... 

"Following Me requires groaning, living as a stranger in a world that only can leave you disappointed.  But know this:  only in the felt and accepted tension of unmet longing will you prepare your mind, not for comfort, but for action, for living as a stranger devoted to bringing My kingdom to earth.  Only in tension will you depend enough on  My Word and My Spirit to enter the battle whose victory is guaranteed." (66 LL)