October 20 | 1 Peter 5:5
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Getting Dressed
By Kim Starr
The passage today tells those who are younger to submit themselves to their elders. Looking deeper, I found that younger meant not only in age, but also in the length of time a person has been a follower of Jesus. Peter is directing us to look to the people who are older, or who have been Christians longer, for guidance. That makes a lot of sense. It is common for us to learn from someone else who has more experience than we do. It’s how we grow and better ourselves.
Then Peter tells everyone, young and old alike, to clothe themselves in humility towards one another. He then gives us the reason he wants us to do this: the why. It is because, by being humble, we will receive God’s favor.
As my children were growing up, I felt it was really important that I explain the reasons behind my answers to their questions. So many parents say, “because I said so” and end up giving their children an edict they simply must obey. I never liked not understanding the basis for a decision that was made for me for something I wanted to do. So, whenever my kids asked me a question, I gave them an answer followed by the reason behind my answer. I gave them the why. I wanted them to learn and be able to take that wisdom into their future lives.
I’m sure there were many times that they heard, “yes” and were happy or heard, “no” and were angry. Sometimes they could have cared less about the reason for my answer; nevertheless, I always made them listen to the why. Regardless of whether or not they liked my answer, they gained more information and learned the reasons why I made the decision that I did. They may not have liked my perspective, but they at least knew where I was coming from, and they knew I was coming from a place of love and care.
The same could be said for the people to whom Peter was writing. In Peter’s why, he tells all of us to be humble because, through our humility, we will gain God’s favor. Humility requires us to put away our own agenda for God’s agenda. If we want to live in God’s grace, we must abandon our pride and be humble, both to God and to others. When we abandon our pride and are humble to God and to others, we open ourselves and allow God to do His work in and through us.
By opening ourselves and allowing God’s work to be done, we open our hearts to let God do what He promised us that He would. We give Him the space and power to care for us, to rid us of our fears and worries, and to allow Him to give us His strength to accomplish His will. When we are humble before God and others, we cast aside our own desires and give God that control over ourselves. We submit ourselves to His wisdom and guidance, and in return we receive His favor.
PRAYER
God thank you for reminding us that we need the guidance and wisdom of those who are older or more experienced than us. Thank you that when you give us a command you tell us the why behind it. God, we ask for your strength to humble ourselves before you and each other, strength to set aside our own wants, needs, and plans to allow you to do your will in us. Amen
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kim Starr
I have been a member of UALC since I was 2-years-old. Over my life I have participated in, and volunteered for, numerous ministries, programs, and activities, all of which have grown and strengthened my faith. I have been blessed beyond measure by not only being a part of this congregation, but also by being able to worship with three generations of my family.
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