Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Peter 3:9 (New Living Translation)

Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

Here is a little different contemplation on this verse. I usually read this as, “You want to hurt someone who hurts you? Bless them. That will get them!”

Let’s remove the bless as revenge thought. Instead, look at the fourth sentence:

That is what God has CALLED ME to do

Oh, ooops, er, uh… I am to bless those who insult me and such because God has called me to do that. No gain for me; no “burn” on the insulting person.

God has called me to do things. God has put me right here, right now to do things. I can see God tapping His fingers on the table and thinking, “Well, Dwayne. I’m waiting.”

Please God, help me to do what you have called me to do. Help me to recognize what you have called me to do. Help me to move and not try your patience.