Monday-The Greater Good

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

1 Peter 3:1,2[1]

Everyone, and I mean everyone, is willing to do something unpleasant for a while to complete something really important. We’re all willing to make short-term sacrifices so that something really good and important can be accomplished.

When I was learning to play basketball, I’d run up and down hills with a heavy backpack and ankle weights to build up my legs. Then, I’d go to the gym and lift heavy weights with my legs to strengthen them even more.

So, why was I willing to do all this hard work and more? Because the idea of making the high school basketball team was just so attractive. Just making the team, seeing my name up on the wall in the gym was my one-and-only thing on my bucket list of life. And when I saw my name on the team roster, I just about lost it with excitement. All the hard work was worth it. And more.

And now, more than a few years later, I’m about to have total knee replacement surgery. I’ve had all the blood work and tests. I’ve seen three doctors who’ve looked at me with great care. All my contact information has been verified and my insurance coverage has been triple-checked. Finally, I’m cleared for surgery.

I know exactly what’s going to happen. They are going to slice open my leg and saw off both ends of my knee. Then they’re going to drill some of the bone out and jam metal parts to replace my knee. Then, they’re going to insert a piece of plastic in between the metal and sew me back up.

Yes, I’ll be enjoying both 21st century surgery techniques and pain drugs. Hopefully, I won’t feel a thing during the surgery. But then, the great medications will eventually wear off and then I’ll definitely feel something. They’ll give me a prescription for some pain relief and send me home with a walker.

After what I expect will be a restless night, Physical Therapy will begin. For everyone who’s gone through PT, this is just another term for Personal Torture. The exercises are designed to strengthen, but there’s a price to be paid for the journey.

When I went through this same thing with my hip replacements, yes – both, something happened around the fourth or fifth day. I looked into the bathroom mirror at the tired face of someone who was in pain and said, “What in the world did I do to myself?”

In the middle of all that pain, it seemed like it was never going to end. Daily life on top of the exercises hurt so bad that it was pulling me down. I couldn’t get comfortable. Every move brought a fresh attack of searing pain. And if you’re someone like me who can’t sit still, the slightest move too much, your skin feels like it’s going to tear.

But then, without warning, the sharp ache began to dull. Only a little at first, but then more. More and more. Like turning down the volume on your TV, the blasting pain became less and less.

Looking back on my 21 surgeries, they all hurt. I signed forms and even paid them a lot of money to let someone do the unthinkable. And why? Because there was something better for my life. I chose immediate pain for the greater good.

Through these words, Peter asks a difficult question to his readers. What are they willing to do for things to get better? How far are they ready to go to get something very important done? What kind of sacrifice are they ready to make for the greater good to happen?

For families with husbands who didn’t believe in Jesus, Peter’s asking for a great sacrifice by the wives. For the eternal joy and gain of their husband’s salvation, he’s asking their wives to be willing to do what doesn’t come naturally. He’s asking them to submit to their husbands.

Peter knows exactly what he’s asking. He had experienced marriage with all its blessings and relational problems. He even had his sick mother-in-law living with them[2]. There’s no doubt in my mind that he knew exactly what he was asking and that it was a big ask of these godly women.

So, what kind of sacrifice is God asking you to make? Is it for some great big thing that will change the lives of thousands or is it something small for just one person? If God is calling you to give up your time to accomplish something he wants, what’s stopping us from running towards it with all of our might?

The answer is simple. Selfishness. We want what we want and that ‘s it. No need to talk about it anymore. But if the greater good is really great, why not give ourselves to him? After all, God thinks of us as his greater good. That’s why Jesus was willing to come and pay the price for us. That changes everything.

Noodling Questions

• Describe a time that you were willing to make a personal sacrifice.

• Why is it easier to sacrifice ourselves for people we love? Explain.

• What does Jesus’ life and death of sacrifice say about his love for you?

[1] Unless otherwise noted, all Bible references are from the New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

[2] Luke 4:38-40