To Elders and Young Men
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Reist him, standing firm in the faith because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing to the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever, Amen.
At this point in my life, I feel like I'm in the middle of these, being able to relate and accept the advice to both the elders and the young men. I've recently been a part of a committee that was tasked to access our church, to determine Who We Are and Who We Want to Be. Going through this process and getting more involved with the leadership of my church, I am able to relate to the advice Peter is giving to the elders. Specifically that I need to be a shepherd and example to the flock, doing all of it with a willing heart and an eagerness to serve. The serving part was one of the main reasons I felt called to accept the role. It is definitely my spiritual gift, to serve, and I want to use that gift as much as possible.
I plan to continue using my gifts to serve on the Search Committee of our new pastor. Though one of the main reasons I was nominated to be on the committee was my age, as they wanted an demographically sound group in a church of aging members, but I know it was more than that. I felt God calling me to this task and I look forward to being a part of His work, serving where He sees fit.
As for the youth, I am continually reminded how small I really am compared to God, through nature and how things happen without any explanation besides His blessing. There are many times that I find myself living life on my own, not wanting anyone's help, that I've got everything under control. Its in those times that I know I need to "check myself before I wreck myself" and remember who I am and what my purpose on this earth is, to serve God's people, each and everyone of them. I am called to remember the example I have been given with Christ in that "He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he HUMBLED himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!" Phil 2:6-8
Christ was, is and will continue to be the ultimate example of a humble servant whom I desire to imitate as I spend this short time walking in his beautiful creation.
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