Isaiah 8:9-9:7 - 12"Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. 13But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." We know that we should not fear the things of this world, because Jesus is victorious, and his victory is ours. Yet how often do we find ourselves getting caught up in such fears? Whether it's finances, government, health, we regularly find ourselves caught up in the business of fear. I've often heard from people that they don't like the idea of a God you fear, but the reality is that we fear all kinds of things all the time. What is ironic is that we fear people and situations that are under the control of God. We are invited instead to fear God, to trust him, and to allow His gift of faith to drive away all other fears.
1 Peter 4:1-19 - I often try to talk about vocation, the callings God places us in. This is of course not just work, but also positions of relationship: parent, child, neighbor, etc. The positive side of vocation is that God gives us a purpose in this life. We aren't just waiting around for the end, but are engaged in God's work of redemption through all our stations in life. In this reading, Peter identifies another aspect of vocation: suffering. Certainly we find joy in our callings, but we also find a cross to bear. Loving your children can mean sacrifice, and serving your neighbor can be thankless. Peter doesn't tell us to go looking for suffering, but glorify God when it comes.
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