Happy Sunday, Friends! After not writing for a while, I thought I’d try sending out a weekly post sharing a quick meditation and something fun to try that might bring you joy as well. We had a great weekend of celebrations. In a season where in-person gatherings are limited, it was fun to celebrate these milestones with friends.
This next week we move into October and I can no longer deny fall is fully here and summer has faded away. This year the colder weather feels even more ominous as we’re not sure what options we’ll have to get out of our homes when we don’t have the outdoors available to us. In the meanwhile, I’m deciding to soak in my favorite season with some very fall things: Oktoberfest (at home ;)), pumpkin painting, apple orchards and walks through the changing leaves. Have a great week enjoying the amazing things this short season has to offer!
2 Peter 1:3-11
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Knowledge of God brings about a godly life. This verse doesn’t say “a godly life comes from trying real hard” or from “being perfect.” Even though this passage contains a list of godly virtues (verses 5-7), the list begins with faith. Faith is the foundation of any efforts we make to live a godly life. A relationship with God, remembering the grace we’ve received and living in it, has to be the doorway through which we pursue godliness. Otherwise our efforts will result in self-righteousness, legalism, and lots of failing and shame. I think that’s why in verse 10, Peter refers to this as a dual work of “calling” (our work), and “election” (God’s work).
- When you think about living a godly life (v.3), do you think about works or faith? How would you define a godly life?
- What do you believe it means to know God/have knowledge of him (v.3)? How do you pursue this in your life?
I’ve fallen prey to the new show on Netflix called Get Organized with the Home Edit. On the show, a tidy duo organize celebrities’ and everyday people’s rooms, closets, pantries and basements. In addition to functionality, they focus on organizing solutions that are aesthetically pleasing…the most notable being organizing by color. For something fun this week, check out their show, new book, or social media for inspiration and start small by organizing your bookshelf by color (see mine below :))! It’s something small yet fun to add some color and joy to your home.
GLIMPSES OF JOY 