“Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as the Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscious clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong.” 1 Peter 3:13-3:17

This verse has really meant a lot to me in the last few years. I am in my junior year of high school. As I’m sure many of you know or have experienced, this can be a time in life when your appearance and the way others view you, really means a lot to you. I am guilty of this and most days I find myself constantly wondering if I said the right thing or wore the right outfit just to make sure people “like me”. I am only sixteen so I can’t speak for myself, but I’m sure this feeling doesn’t just end when you graduate high school. But instead can last many years or even a lifetime. Of course this isn’t something we want to be concerned about but, we’re human! We can’t help it.

What I take from this verse, is that it doesn't matter what others think about what you do, because you aren't doing things for them, you’re doing them Christ. Christ is the only one who we need to care what he thinks. Not only that, but he is the only one who sees all of us. The good, the bad, the ugly. Christ knows us better than any other so we have no use trying to be someone other than ourselves. We can’t fool him as much as we may try. So just be you!  We don’t need to constantly seek praise or worry about what others think, because we have to remember we are already enough for Christ.

If you live your life being who you are and honoring God there should be no other worries. If you do this and others still don’t accept you, then there is nothing to be ashamed of because you belong to Christ. You are living your life for him.

Prayer: Dear God, please remind us to not focus on receiving praise and acceptance from those around us because we know that we are already enough for you. Help us live sharing your love to others. Amen.