by Desiree Bustamante

This is what God has called you to do.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.”
1 Peter 3:8-9 New Living Translation

Honestly, the phrase “be of one mind” seems impossible, doesn’t it? There are as many opinions, beliefs and viewpoints on every topic as there are people reading this.

But Peter defined what that phrase means to us as Christians. We are to be sympathetic with others in their struggles, loving each other like family, showing kindness and caring for those who might be grumpy or anxious. Our behavior should not be arrogant or prideful but humble, because in our imperfectness we have experienced God’s great mercy toward us.

Being of one mind in Christ makes it possible for you to think this way. Being of one mind in Christ makes it possible for you to not strike back when someone cuts you off in traffic or treats you rudely. Being of one mind in Christ means no retaliation after someone insults the political stance you posted on your social media account. Just the opposite, God has called you to bless those who offend you.

But we can’t possibly accomplish any of this on our own. Only in our faith in God, who gave us His saving grace and calls us to respond to His love for us by loving and blessing others, can we be of one mind. This is our calling, no matter what is happening in the world or how others view us. I encourage you to reach out and love others as Christ loves you every single day! Together we can share the hope of Christ through our actions of love.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado