• As eternal beings for whom Peter describes earthly life as “the time of your exile,” it makes sense for us take the long view of things. Whatever you might accomplish this week, or even this year, is not so important as the overall direction of your life. What are you all about? Where’s this thing going?
• Peter asks the question this way: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar… the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be…?” (2 Pet 3:10).
• Well, that’s odd. If the end of time will “expose” the “works” done on the earth, why is Peter worried about who we ought to “be” rather than what we’re “doing.” Scripture assumes or implies this everywhere: when we’re healthy in relation to God our lives naturally bear fruit. Give attention to who you are; what you do will follow. Think first about the legacy of your character in Christ, the legacy of your actions will take care of itself.
• This is important in our little cultural moment. Take the short view of things and this moment can feel like a disaster. Depending on how often and where you read the news, the world is not so much fraying at the edges as disintegrating at the core. We feel like we have to doing something to stop it. We’re anxious, maybe angry. And yet, God is “from everlasting to everlasting.” And though the mountains should fall into the heart of the sea, our job is to “be still” and know that He is God, that He “will be exalted among the nations, [and] will be exalted in the earth!” This is all that matters.
• So, here’s an important nuance. It may be that, as you shape your life to exalt and honor Him, he uses you to change the course of events in our time. Maybe you will have a role in reshaping the cultural moment. Maybe you’ll become President. Well, praise God. But it’s crucial that such influence arise out of your overriding passion to exalt Him now and for eternity, not out of your anxiety, anger, or frustration regarding circumstances. Think Mary and Martha. Martha, for all her effort, isn’t accomplishing anything. Mary, despite appearances, is accomplishing everything.
• Take the long view. God WILL BE exalted. All things will be resolved rightly and justly. Trust Him in this, and give more attention to who you are. What you do will come.