Good morning! Have you ever played the game Follow the Leader? It’s a game where a leader is selected to lead a group in a line or in a series of activities. The followers are challenged to mimic the actions of the leader. If one of the followers doesn’t mimic the leader they are out of the game. The game ends when all the followers except one is out. The final follower then becomes the leader.

Last week, we discussed the role of an elder/leader. The elder/leader follows the Good/Chief Shepherd who is Christ Jesus. Today, we will continue in 1 Peter chapter 5 as Peter begins to address followers. Enjoy today’s reading and have a wonderful day.

BIBLE VERSE – 1 Peter 5:5-7 NLT
“⁵ In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for

“God opposes the proud
    but gives grace to the humble.” [Proverbs 3:34]

⁶ So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. ⁷ Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

Reflection
Sisters and brothers, we have been called and instructed to imitate Christ. When elders/leaders are living a life that imitates Christ, we are called to do likewise. By their example, we can be led, learning the truth of the gospel, be willing to serve in humility and in our love for Christ, which will release and free us from our natural tendencies to be prideful or arrogant.

I know many of us may struggle with authority or may have had some concerns with leaders in the church or leaders in general, my prayer for you today is that God will speak directly to your heart to address the internal struggles that you are having. That the Lord, will humble your spirit and open up your eyes to see what is inside of you that needs to change. Additionally, my prayer is that if things are not fitting in where you worship/attend church and you fervently prayed about it, repented of your own disappointment about the situation, that you no longer harbor those feelings in your heart and find another place of worship/church that ministers the word of God directly from the Bible and leads by Christ’s example. Finally, pray for the leaders in your church, on your job, this nonprofit ministry, and leaders in our world.

The final verse in today’s reading v.7, we are to give our worries and cares to God because he cares for us. However, let me correct this, the scripture states ALL our cares and worries. Sisters and brothers, whatever you are struggling with and no matter the circumstances the Lord loves you and He cares. He sees you. He knows your name. He understands. He will never, ever, ever leave you or forsake you. Trust Him. Follow His lead.

PRAYER
Father God, we thank you for today. Lord, we thank you for your word and the power that You give it. Lord, forgive us for the times when we have failed to follow your lead. Lord, thank you for keeping us in the Christian family even when we decided to stop following your instructions. Thank you for the opportunity for us to repent and turn back to you. Lord, lead us today in the way that we should go. Direct our footsteps and release us from situations and leadership that doesn’t align to your will. Lord, help us to lead by your example and to be a reflection of you in our homes (e.g., marriages, parenting, etc.), our relationships, in our churches, on our jobs, in our volunteer assignments, as members of our communities and throughout the world. Lord, let people see Christ in us. In Jesus name, amen.

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