PODCAST
Not By Force; By Choice
July 9th, 2021
1 Peter 5:1-11
In the garden of Eden God gives Adam and Eve a choice to be in relationship with God or not. This is intentional because love cannot be true if it is not freely chosen. The same goes for the recipients of the words in 1 Peter 5, “not because you must, but because you are willing” (v. 2). God does not force humanity into relationship, but rather extends the invitation into relationship.
Jesus could have said no to the calling placed upon His life, but He stayed the course and chose to pour himself out for the whole world. Jesus is the example of humility. Following Jesus means living a life of humility.
1 Peter 5 also speaks to being humble and casting one’s cares upon God. These two concepts are intertwined. Giving up control of one’s emotions is humbling, but freeing when one actually does! Recognizing one’s anxiety is humbling, and it is even more humbling to let it go. Yet, when all anxiety is cast upon God, freedom abounds!
Author: Cara Shonamon
