Today’s scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-54 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Genese Parker):
Sometimes in life it feels like everything that we are doing is pointless. Sometimes at work we push papers around and wonder if it all really matters. We even think about all that we do in the name of God and wonder if anyone cares. Does God really see what I am doing for the kingdom? Does it really matter that I clean the bathrooms at church or that I mow the lawn every Saturday before Sunday service? Does God really care that I pray daily for my friends, family, co-workers, city?
God has never promised that living a life for the glory of God would be easy, or bring us much recognition. In fact, sometimes we are even disrespected or, at worst, persecuted for being a Christian. As a member of the LGBT community, sometimes I am asked by others in the community how I could be a Christian when so many Christians around the world stand in full opposition to who I am as a person. “Why would you want to be a Christian when Christians hate us?” they ask. I must admit that sometimes it is hard to come up with a response that fully explains what I see and experience with Christ on a daily basis.
I would imagine many in Kenya must be struggling with this question as well. When Islamist extremists stormed Garissa University College in Kenya, they were asking people if they identified as Christians and killing them on the spot. In the aftermath of this heinous tragedy, many must be wondering if it is really worth it to follow a faith that could literally get them killed.
“By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve” (1 Corinthians 15: 2-5).
Jesus calls us to follow him even when the going gets tough. And when we find ourselves wondering if we can really stand up for our faith in the midst of persecution, we can look to the example of Peter who denied Jesus three times because he was afraid that he would be crucified right along with Jesus, if people knew that he was one of the disciples. Peter went on to share the Gospel with countless people and to write some of the most beloved books of the Bible.
Living this Christian life can get hard sometimes, but God wants to be in relationship with us through the good times and the bad times. Like any relationship, there will be moments when it can feel boring, overwhelming, dangerous, time consuming, or even confusing. But there are also very good things that come with following Jesus. There is joy and peace that gives us the strength to keep going from day to day. There is love and support offered by God’s people. There is guidance and wisdom provided for us by the Holy Spirit. And there is the promise that Jesus will one day return and usher in God’s kingdom of love and justice.
Prayer for the day: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.