Hang In There!

1 Peter 5: 10 The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ - eternal and glorious plans they are! - will have you put together and on your feet for good. 11 He gets the last word; yes, he does. 12 I'm sending this brief letter to you by Silas, a most dependable brother. I have the highest regard for him. I've written as urgently and accurately as I know how. This is God's generous truth; embrace it with both arms! 13 The church in exile here with me - but not for a moment forgotten by God - wants to be remembered to you. Mark, who is like a son to me, says hello. 14 Give holy embraces all around! Peace to you - to all who walk in Christ's ways. (The Message)

1 Peter 5: 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen. 12 Through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, I have written this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13 Your sister church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. (NRSV)

In this day and age it is difficult for most people to write letters. We get hundreds of emails a day, and there is something to be said about checking your mailbox several times a day and finding in there messages from those who matter. But gone, for the most part, of hand-written letters to loved ones is gone. My first year in college was at first a difficult one and letters from my mom and grandmother were very special. These were usually brief recaps of goings on at home and each would contain a dollar or two for my "gum" as both would say. I felt connected through those letters. Peter ends his letter with the passage from today. In it he summarizes what he has tried to share in this first letter, which I sum up in modern terms, "Hang in there." Most people know what that means. I tell that to my pastors after we discuss a challenge or unexpected blow, hang in there. Peter is telling the Church to hang in there. He knew the sufferings of believers and he believes the suffering would be nothing like the coming reward. In fact, in the NRSV he says, "The God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you." That's "hang in there - it's gonna get good!"

Many are the days when we feel we need restoration. It's coming. Many are the days when we feel we need support. It's coming. Many are the days we feel weak and tired. Strength is coming. Many are the days when we feel unsure or shaky about where we are and how we are living. God's going to establish us. It's all coming and today may be the day!

Hang in there! And for good measure, Peter adds that our fellowship should include a "holy kiss" with the knowledge that the peace of Christ is ours. Hang in there.

PRAYER: Loving God, even on those days when we think we are going to be hanged, You call us to hang in there. So be it. May a special blessing of strength, support, restoration and peace be mine and mine to share is what I ask, in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! (Hang in there!)

Eradio Valverde