Friday, April 8, 2016

Today’s Reading  |  1 Peter 4:7–11           
The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (NRSV)

Reflection
Indeed, the end of things as we know them is near. It has always been approaching: we do not know now what our world will look like in five, ten, or even next year. And twenty years ago we could not have imagined what it looks like now.

The end is already happening and people are afraid. The end of white power and privilege. The end of relationships, through death or distance or decision. The end of certainty in our weather, and hence our geography and ecology. The eventual end of our bodies’ abilities and of life’s opportunities. We all have our own particular ends in mind.

Some of these ends are to be heralded. Some are only feared. But we always live with uncertainty and the end of things. This is not new.

So what do we know? What does remain constant? That we are God’s children. That we are called to be Christ in the world and to each other. Whatever else happens, those remain true. Therefore, rather than approaching the world in fear, let us take the words of 1 Peter to heart and love one another. Be hospitable to each other. Serve one another. And be disciplined in our affairs, remembering we are here to be Christ to others, yet strengthened by the knowledge that we are God’s beloved children.

Prayer
Gracious God, strengthen us to serve in the world, living out the hope you have given us through Christ. May we be ever constant in our love for you and for your creation. Amen.

Written by Anne Ellis, Program Manager for Congregational Life

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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