Anything To Write Today?

That is the question I asked myself today.  Because I love to write and could type words all day long, but I want them to mean something.  To encourage.  To give life.  And what is more life-giving than God's own words to us?  So I pray that whatever words show up here might encourage someone who reads it today, or tomorrow, or weeks from now, and might drive someone to their own book of God's life-giving words for the sake of knowing him more deeply.

I have been doing a lot of doing lately. It has reminded me of another "doing list" I've kept while reading 1 Peter.  I think of my own list and wonder, is THIS what I'm doing?  As Peter writes to encourage the exiled believers to be obedient after being scattered about from their homes he reminds them:

Call on God as Father
Love one another earnestly and with a pure heart
Put away all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander
LONG for spiritual milk
Abstain from the passions of the flesh
Live as people who are free AND servants of God
Fear God
Be NOT conformed to the passions of former ignorance but be holy in all conduct
Come to Him
Proclaim the excellence of Jesus
Keep conduct honorable among gentiles
Put to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good
Endure hardship and suffering for doing good
Follow in Christ's steps
Die to sin and live to righteousness

My list may look different, but it somehow still seems to fit.  As I prepare for dinner with my family by cooking and table-setting with joy, can't I be loving earnestly?  As I sow to the spirit and resist that temptation that comes when the house is quiet I abstain from the passions of the flesh and come to the Father who fills me instead?  When I am with those who are not part of His family yet, is my conduct honorable?  Or do I find myself complaining, arguing, and ungrateful, leaving people to wonder why they would want to know this God I serve?

I was reminded by Pastor Israel Haas yesterday that when we sow to the flesh we reap corruption and when we sow to the Spirit we reap eternal life-Galatians 6.  I believe my eternal life is secure in Christ.  And as I sow to the Spirit and live out this "to-do list" penned by Peter, the Spirit teaches me and prompts me and counsels me and lets other people see the beginning of this eternal life.

Oh Lord, may my example draw others to know and love You.  To long for spiritual milk.  To come to You.  To follow in Your steps.  To die to their own sin and live to Your righteousness.  May Your Word give life today to a soul weary from doing, inspired to do only what You ask of us-whatever that may look like today.

For me, now, it looks like raising my daughter from her crib and laughing and playing with her (and even disciplining her) so that she learns what it means to be loved, and can recognize Your love one fine day...and sing the excellencies of her Jesus.

Adding to the count today...
#15  Being clothed with Christ
#16  A praying husband
#17  Dishes to wash
#18  Dinner with family
#19  Quiet rest
#20  New friendships
#21  Perfect fit pants...even if they are a size bigger than the last ones
Thank you, Lord, for these.