The other day, I went through the drive-through line for a cup of coffee. I wanted my new favorite drink, the iced shaken espresso. While I was sitting in line, I pulled out my wallet to be prepared to pay. Imagine my surprise when I pulled up to the drive-through window to pay, and the person in front of me had already paid for my drink. It was certainly a small act of kindness, but it truly made my day. Looking back, that anonymous stranger who bought my coffee probably did not realize it, but their kindness made a difference. The truth is, we may not think our actions really matter, but every one of our actions matters, big and small. This understanding is important as we walk through the decision-making process.
One of the mistakes we can make in the decision-making process is devaluing the importance of our actions. We can fall into the line of thinking that our actions will not make a big impact, or what we decide is not that big of a deal. As children of God, what we do with our lives matters. 1 Peter 2:9 says it this way, “You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.” Because God chooses us as ambassadors for spreading His goodness to others, it stands to reason that what we do with our lives does matter. As a result, our decisions, day-in-and-day-out, are very important.
What we do matters. It matters for eternity. When we take this truth seriously, we can make wiser decisions. As we think about this truth, we must ask ourselves, “Are we viewing our decisions and the way we choose to live our lives as important as they are?” Life is short. Christ calls us to take His calling to make Him known through our words and actions every day seriously. Will we live up to that calling?
As you consider the decisions you are facing right now, big and small, how are you viewing them? Do you see them as important, or do some of your decisions seem insignificant? Take some time to think about these decisions today and in your journal or notebook, write about why all of these decisions matter and why they are important.
So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
Living Stones for God’s House
You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.
And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say,
“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem,
chosen for great honor,
and anyone who trusts in him
will never be disgraced.”
Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.”
And,
“He is the stone that makes people stumble,
the rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
“Once you had no identity as a people;
now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God’s mercy.”
Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
