15. Pilgrimage to Paradise: A New Year

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On the cusp of a new decade and a new year who isn't thinking about loving life and seeing good days. I wonder if the pilgrims that Peter was writing to thought much about the possibility, however remote, that life would get better for them, that soon being a follower of Jesus wouldn't be so dangerous, that they would be able to settle down and enjoy peace and prosperity once more without wondering when they might have to pack up and run again. 

Sometimes I spend more time thinking about what might be coming than what IS at this moment. Dwelling too much on the uncertainties of the future can be paralyzing and counter-productive. Truth be told, I only have this moment—one that hopefully will stretch into a new year of other moments to be lived, but only God knows what tomorrow might bring.

Peter has told his readers not to get caught up in the problems of today and lose sight of the promise of tomorrow. But at the same time, he knows that these believers on pilgrimage also have to live with the realities of today. There is an old saying that reminds us not "to be so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good." Pilgrims passing through this life need heavenly-mindedness to ensure hope in difficult situations. But still they must walk through those difficult situations on their way to see that hope fulfilled.

So how, as Francis Schaeffer once said, "…should we then live?"

Here is Peter's instruction:

"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, 'Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.'" (1 Peter 3:8-12, Psalm 34:12-16)

Sounds to me like a great recipe with which to begin a new decade and a new year, don't you think?