May 10 | 1 Peter 3:8-9, 18, 4:1-2

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DAILY READING

1 Peter 3:8-9, 18, 4:1-2

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REFLECTION

Humility Though Suffering

by Carmel Elmer

When I received my assigned passage, I opened my bible to find these words highlighted:

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love one another like brothers, be compassionate and humble”

Sometimes when I highlight or underline a passage, I write the date next to it.  There was no date next to this passage, but I can say with certainty that I know what was happening in my life at the time when these words of truth jumped off the page at me.

Twenty-five years ago, as a new couple, my husband and I found our way to UALC.  Our children came along, they were baptized into the church and we made sure they attended Kid’s Church (Sunday school at the time). We became a part of this community, prayed together at home as a family, and were living a ‘perfect little life’ together.  I’m ashamed to say this but I thought we had it all together.  I guess you could say I was proud of the life that we had built, but I know now how dangerous pride can be and how life can bring you back down to earth and humble you in ways you could never imagine but maybe need.

My marriage and family gave me a sense of pride and purpose, and while that’s not all bad, I do realize somewhere along the way I came to believe it was all up to me to paint a picture of a perfect family that made me feel secure, protected and whole.  Boy, was I blindsided a few years ago when it all began to fall apart and the husband I loved, relied upon, and trusted with my life no longer wanted to be a part of it.  And while I know with certainty that God did not want my marriage to end, I do see that He has been using this circumstance to humble and mold me.

I was living my life for the comforts of this world, and I truly didn’t understand what it meant to live in The Spirit.  I’m still not there but I am learning.  I am learning to stop, take a breath, and ask for guidance before I proudly pass judgement and I am becoming more compassionate.  I am learning the importance of doing what is right even if in the end, it causes me pain because that pain is training me to be more like Christ.  I am learning to pray for those who hurt me because that is what brotherly love is all about. I am learning that times of suffering are the greatest opportunity for growth.

Inevitably, in this broken world we will all experience some form of suffering.  My prayer for each of us is that through our suffering, we will become more like Christ.  I suppose that’s what Dying to Live really means for every one of us.  I know that’s what it has meant in my life and, while I am not yet there, I do know that God is teaching me what it means to live in The Spirit. I am grateful that He hasn't given up on me and He never will.

PRAYER

We reflect You to the world, Lord. Help us to reflect You more clearly.

We try to forgive, Lord.  Help us to forgive the way You do.

We are humble, Lord.  Give us more humility. 

Use our suffering to make us more like You.

Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CARMEL ELMER

I have attended UALC for nearly 25 years, but faith has always been at the center of my life. My mom was an incredible role model, demonstrating a trust in God that surpassed any circumstance. I will always be grateful for her incredible example of faith, and I pray that one day, my children will say the same about me.   

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