Susan Lafferty“Make every effort.” Peter repeats the phrase in his second letter. Several times.
And in the conclusion, he combines it with an unexpected word. Counter-intuitive.
“Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in His sight, at peace.” 2 Peter 3:14
Make every effort. While you wait.
Paying attention makes a difference.
I think about this while watering the brown, straggly plant in our front yard. The one that missed automatic sprinkler showers.
My failure to notice is part of the issue. Properly caring for plants is not my wheelhouse.
In the tropics, where I was raised? Plants grew green year round. Rain fell in abundance. And planting seeds for science projects yielded quick results. Green shoots before the week was out. Sometimes overnight.
This sad-looking specimen tells another story.
Unexpected surrender started with an invitation. Out of the blue. To consider a role in the U.S.
And our immediate thought? No. Can’t be right. Our calling is cross-cultural. Among the nations.
Besides, we weren’t ready to leave South Asia and her people. The place had wrestled its way into our hearts.
Then another ask came. To focus on megacities in South Asia. Surely that’s the one, we thought. Fits our heart and skill set. New city. Same area of the world.
