Overcoming

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (1 Peter 2:1-6 ESV).

It’s hard to believe that we have come to the first of June. It seems just yesterday that I was looking out my window from my desk and the gray days of winter stretched out across the vista. For me, June seems to mark the beginning of summer; and, that brings thoughts of long days filled with sunshine, warmth, and vibrant colors. In Texas that “warmth” means temperatures that approach or surpass 100 degrees pretty often, however, being cold-natured I seem to tolerate that much more than the cold of winter. It is also the signaling of a natural break for many people. For me, summer means that I have “made it” to another level. It is almost as significant as January and the beginning of a new year. So, with that thought in mind, I come to our reading today from a perspective of having overcome. So many people feel no victory in their lives. I talk with people everyday who are frustrated and defeated. Our culture has created an environment where loss is not merely experienced but expected. In an age known for flaming emails of anger, tweets that bite, Face Book status updates that give instant life to something best left silent, we have the secret to overcoming all of that and more in this short passage. Yesterday I mentioned adopting “the long look.” The picture I have chosen to accompany today’s devotional is one of an old fence row in the Hill Country. The bluebonnets have been replaced with the more common red Texas wildflowers. They are so common that no real care is given to preserving them like the bluebonnets. They just seem to survive regardless of the circumstances. They are overcomers. I’ll be writing about that over the next few days. Today I want to focus your attention on just one thought. Regardless of the rejection you may feel from others, God has particularly chosen you to be special stones for the building of this grand “spiritual house.” Not any rock will do, only special stones are used. Often that requires the painful masonry of a master craftsman; however, it never fails to reach perfection and completion. Take that long look, knowing you will be complete and the process comes into sharp focus.