Verse: 2 Peter 3:10-13
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be
in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Devotion
Ok yeah this one is interesting. I’m older than I used to be, but young enough to remember how it felt for time to move slowly, painfully, one year dragging on forever. That feeling of Christmas being so far away, of each fun holiday spaced out interminably. My birthday just so far out of reach. Slowly, that changes. Colleges went by kinda quickly, and after that life picked up a slightly quicker pace. Then life changed again and we added children, and things crept up a notch. Now, life moves at a pace that keeps me slightly out of breath and a little bit dizzy. And I’m told it will continue on in this way. But let’s back up a moment.

Do you remember also, that back when time moved so slowly, your actions held less weight? Nothing was that big of a deal, you had time, you could change, eventually. Another day might be more convenient for working on my character. Choosing more carefully, intentionally, to what or to whom I would give my time and attention. Now, I understand more of the urgency.

A few verses earlier, Peter speaks about how time is different for God. That we cannot comprehend it. How we need to be ready, because we cannot know what the next moment brings. That time, as we know it, is actually finite. This throws me when I really try to understand it. And that’s what I’m supposed to do- really dig in to this- not push it aside because I can’t quite wrap my head around it.

So I’m thinking about how we need to look at time differently. I don’t think that this means we run around in a panic trying to “do” everything. But rather, to not take our moments for granted. Sit and absorb good things, beauty, and wonder. To appreciate what we have, and the people we have. I want to listen better to the Holy Spirit, to accept the invitation that is continually being held out to me, to be a part of what God is doing. I want to connect with the people who are near me. We are to be Jesus in each other’s lives, right? I want to see people correctly, through the lenses of Jesus and his love. I really think that is what it means to live lives of holiness and godliness. To understand that our time is limited and to love well. Not just our circle of people, but to expand on that and bring others in. To change our definition of “our people”, and act from that perspective.

I’m going to try this today. I’m going to be filled by the beauty and peace of the snow and love my people, and see what God has for me today. What he wants me to hear, to see, to do. I’m going to ask him and then do my best to hear and respond to the answers. I will not be perfect at it, but I’m going to step into it anyway.

Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for a day of peace, though there is a lot to do. Thank you for neighbors to help, and shovels to help with. Thank you for your word that encourages us and spurs us to action. Please help me to be your hands and your feet. Help me to see time more like you. Amen.

Author: Emily Costa