Aliens in America: Day 28

Help to Hope 

‘As aliens, live in reverent fear’ (1 Pet. 1:17). 

In the aftermath of this election, we’ve got to act. But we must do so thoughtfully, with clear, sharp minds. To think and act as Christians, we must be infused by the glorious splendor of God’s Kingdom. Now.  

Peter shows us the way. In the first 12 verses of his first chapter to aliens like us, he expounds on the joy of the Gospel. Yes, we are hard-pressed by a host of trials, subject to sorrow. But in the Spirit of Him who suffered but is now raised in glory, we can make sense of hardship. Oppression from without refines faith within, tempers our allegiance, and makes us more true to the One. This results in grateful love for Him that overflows to others, our grief giving way to joy.  

‘Therefore,’ verse 13 begins–– a reminder that what God has done for us at Calvary and Pentecost is now the way we should live––‘gird up the loins of your mind, being self-controlled; place your hopes completely on the grace that is being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.’  

I love that verse! I’ve never heard ‘gird up your thinking loins.’ Peter is alerting us to the need for urgent action. First, he makes us aware that we are not quite prepared to run this next leg with wisdom. So, bind up—tuck in—the long, loose garments that get in the way of our race.  

Consider readiness. Get rid of the stuff that trips us up. That takes thought. What makes us unreasonable? Reactive and needlessly combative? Certainly, this political season reveals wounded and calloused areas of our hearts, even blind spots. We may struggle to see a way forward.  

We can answer to an authority greater than the presidency. Jesus and trusted friends can help ground and balance us, freeing us to prioritize afresh what matters most to us. That involves reason and wisdom from others. Don’t abdicate clear thinking for an aggrieved heart. 

Peter exhorts us to be ‘self-controlled’, which comes from the root word ‘to sober up.’ That may mean stop drugging ourselves. Are we nursing anxiety or anger with chemicals? I can relate. I like wine, too much. This season, I took God’s invitation to stop drinking so that I could pray more and experience my heart and His more accurately. Peter exhorts us later in this letter ‘to act temperately so you can pray’ (4:7). 

We’ve all got some drug of choice. This is a good, hard season in which to feel our lives so we can hand them over again to Him. He wants us to be alert and ready to do what He asks. A good prayer? ‘Free me from dullness, Lord. I need to live drug-free so I can make reasonable, prompt decisions aligned with You.’    

In our distress as aliens, Jesus gives us extraordinary hope. And help. Peter exhorts us ‘to hope completely in tomorrow’s Kingdom come today’ (my paraphrase). This is ‘the grace being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.’ That revelation is a paradox: on the one hand, it means the end, the culmination of His Kingdom. Yet it’s being released to us now, hope implying both a now and a future realization. Jesus reminds us: ‘I am coming, but I come today in a profound personal way to you through My gracious Spirit. I will help you to hope in Me.’  

What a Savior. The other day I was asking Jesus how we might best be His stream in this political desert. He responded: ‘Let Me first be the stream in your desert.’  

We need His Kingdom to come to us. Abide with Him. Surrender your distress again. Let Him confirm your kingdom citizenship and (re)clarify how He best wants you to advance His Kingdom on earth. 

‘Fill us with inexpressible and glorious joy, as we welcome the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls (1 Pet. 1:8,9). Grant us sobriety in these days. Help us to know clearly and to act swiftly upon what You are asking of us. May we be filled with the abiding Presence of Your Kingdom as we advance that Kingdom. Our hope is in You, our King.’           

‘Jesus, You are the King, and we are first citizens of Your Kingdom. Would you free us for You in this election season, not to hide but to shine? You’ve always asked nothing less from Your elect whom You have made ‘strangers in a strange land’ (Ex. 2:22). Here we are, a people who don’t know what to do but who look and listen to our King.  

“Father of all holiness, 

guide our hearts to You. 

Keep in the light of Your Truth 

all those You have freed from the darkness of unbelief. 

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son.”’ 

Amen