Take time to be Holy

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15 But just as he who called you is holy,

so be holy in all you do;

16 for it is written:

“Be holy, because I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)

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I don't know about you, but the noise of reality seems to be drifting back in. The sense that Christmas is over seems to be spreading everywhere. Shops getting ready for New Year's celebrations, and the season of waiting with bated breath - gone. Arriving, but also leaving as quickly as it came. Whilst it is still the Christmas holidays for many, the busyness of life seems to be gaining the upper hand. Taking over as it has done in the past, pulling you forward at a speed.

Today I am reminded of a time, a few years ago when I had just come back from YSCA, a Summer School and I sat in our local Army Hall, at the back and underneath the clock. Reflecting on what an amazingly, epic time I had had with God and His friends. But, by then the challenge, the heartache and the noise of reality had, unfortunately set back in. Today, just I was then, I am challenged by 1 Peter 1:15-16. The verse is engraved on the clock. The Message Translation offers this insight: "As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.” What a verse! It can be so easy to brush holiness to one side either because we are 'too busy' or 'too unworthy' but God commands us to be holy. Being holy isn't about being pure or clean, its about being with God, listening to Him, yearning for Him, learning more about Him and personal growth in your relationship with Him.

The Salvation Army is blessed with a rich heritage of spreading the word of God through music. In our songbook, there is a song by William D. Longstaff, which in verse 2 says this "Take time to be holy, the world rushes on; spend much time in secret with Jesus alone..." The band, Transmission have brought it up to date and maybe today just give it a listen and take time with your Lord and Saviour.

Reflect today: What can you do today to take some time to listen for Him? What can you do to learn more about Him? What can you do to yearn more for Him? What can you do, today, to take time to be holy?

Dear Lord,

Sometimes the weight of worldly values holds us back from living out the calling we have received. Please help me to take time to be holy and yearn more for you. Please help me to take this time to be able to charge up so that I am able to be your light in this world of darkness. Please give me the strength, I pray.

Amen