When people begin to crash in on our parade, it tends to cause friction inside of us. We have this ability to raise walls fast and high. Our defensive systems are always on high alert. This is my life and my idea, who are you to treat me and what I am doing with disdain and threaten my happiness. The pride in our hearts is a prime contender for a heavy weight fight. We do not want to lose or be attacked.
The Bible in contrast to our internal battle gives us a clear direction for dealing with these so-called personal attacks. Peter describes us as sojourners, people on a journey. While on our journey not in our homeland we should act with purpose. The Gospel gives us purpose. The Gospel gives us significance in our lives.
1Peter 2:12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
1Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
These two verses give us purpose that God would be glorified and that we would live out the covenant given to Abraham thousands of years earlier. God has given us significance through the name of Jesus; we have an opportunity to love others not with our love but with his love. We were called to live outside of our selves for others in the name of Jesus.
When your parade crashers come flying around trying to bring you down, remember your conduct has to do with what you believe about God and his glory. Will these crashers see Jesus in you?
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