ELOGOS for Tuesday

​I Peter 2:19-21
For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
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We are all brandishers of fuzzy math. We try to make apples equal oranges. We insist that square pegs should fit in round holes. And we think we should get points for things like trying and showing up. We expect to be rewarded when we take responsibility for wrong-doing because, hey, we are taking responsibility! We are also equally and regularly surprised when we suffer unjustly. We rail against an imbalance of justice no matter how it tips. The cross of Christ is the one true equation that we can use to measure the quality of our discipleship. Suffer for doing right = Jesus' footsteps. If we are doing what is right and it hurts, look where you are walking. If you want to complain about the injustice, you can. But if you want to follow Jesus, don't be surprised if it hurts. 
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Holy God, the cross of Christ is the path forward. Amen.