Friday October 23
my wake-up call
It’s been a tiring week. Filling in for the Breakfast Show radio host meant that I set my alarm for 4:40 each morning, ensuring that I’d be at the radio studios by 5:30. I was looking forward to waking up later on Saturday, but at 4:40 I heard the buzz of an alarm. Annoyed at what I thought was my husband’s alarm, I begged him to turn it off and then realized it was my own alarm blaring its unwelcome wake-up call. I’d forgotten to turn off the alarm the night before and now I lay wide awake, frustrated with myself and embarrassed that I’d blamed my husband for the rude awakening.
I don’t know about you, but when I’m sitting in church, I occasionally catch myself thinking how great the message is for someone else. Instead, it’s vital that I choose to apply each sermon or Bible reading to my own life. The apostle Peter calls on every believer to think clearly, exercise selfcontrol, and “live as God’s obedient children” (1 Peter 1:13-14). He reminds us not to slip back into our old, selfish ways of living and to “be holy in everything [we] do, just as God who chose [us] is holy” (vv.15-16).
It’s important that we take personal responsibility for the way we live because one day we’ll be rewarded or judged for everything we do (v.17). God paid a great price to save us from our empty lives—and not with gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Jesus who was raised from the dead (vv.18-21). Through Christ we can trust God as we place our faith and hope in Him because He has cleansed us from our sin. As God helps us to grow in obedience, we’re able to love sincerely and steer clear of evil behavior (1:22–2:1).
Let’s hear God’s wake-up call and follow Him and His ways today! —Ruth O’Reilly-Smith
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1 Peter 1:10–2:1 You must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy (v.15).
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Read Philippians 2:12-16 (NIV) and be encouraged to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it’s God who works in you for His good purpose.
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Next time you hear a great sermon or have your morning devotions with God, ask Him what He wants to say to you—not your spouse or your mother-in-law or anyone else. What does it mean for you to take responsibility for your choices?
