100 Days of HopeSample

Holding Firmly to the Word of Life

Confession 1 – I was totally a teacher’s pet. Even before I could spell, I lived for the highest GPA and glowing praise on my report card. But I especially loved when teachers singled me out, contrasting my brilliant work to the mediocrity of my peers. Compliments are always welcome, but a compliment that implies “you stand out” really hits the spot, right?

Confession 2 – It’s easy for me to read Phil 2:15 like a spiritual teacher’s pet. It activates the same “you’re special” sensor in my glory-hungry heart. I may live in a crooked generation, but I stand out! Society keeps sinking deeper into sin... but God says I’m a star. I visualize Jesus patting my back.

But something about the phrase “hold firmly to the word of life” ruins my little moment. In The Message, it translates as “Carry the light-giving message into the night.”

Hm. Maybe this isn’t so much about me standing out, isolated, inaccessible. Maybe it’s more about standing among my generation. Maybe I’m called to be a stubbornly hopeful star, holding out what I know of truth to offset the dark, dysfunctional crookedness.

Though I’m no longer a teacher’s pet, I confess I sometimes view the world through “us vs. them” goggles. But isn’t Christ calling us to be more than just “anti-sin,” but also “pro-word of life?” To be known by what we are for, not what we are against?

May God transform our sight to see the world, and ourselves, through His eyes.

Prayer: Father, may we be known by what we stand for, not what we stand against. Keep us from having prideful hearts and make us people of compassion.