I’m writing this devotion in June 2020 when riots are happening in our cities, with people tearing down statues, burning restaurants and spraying graffiti all over monuments across the nation. We’ve also been in a five-month pandemic that temporarily shut down the whole world’s economy. On top of that, we here in Nashville suffered tornado damage back in March. A lot of us are waiting for a little peace in all this turmoil and tragedy.

Our passage today comes from 2 Peter 3:14, where Peter wrote, “Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace.” What are “these things” we are waiting for? Peter explained in verses 12 and 13 that we wait for “the day of God” when there will be a “new heavens and new earth.”

The Scriptures promise that God has an eternal plan and will one day bring all the violence, disease, and destruction to an end. So, what are we to do while we wait for these things? Peter’s answer is that we should be “be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace.”

I can’t control what rioters and looters do, I can’t stop an invisible virus or a tornado—but I can control my tongue. I can control whether I use my words and actions to be kind or cruel. One person can make a difference for at least one other person. You can be the difference today in someone’s life.

Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Instead of cursing the darkness, why don’t you let a little light shine into it instead?
2. Whom can you bless today? Visit or call or write a note to someone today just to say, “I’m praying for you.”

Family Activity
In the midst of our unsteady world, we are eagerly awaiting the day of God. The Lord is returning, and we can’t wait! It can be hard to be patient, especially when you are looking forward to something. But while we wait, we should not waste our time.

Today’s activity, “Work While You Wait,” is going to require some patience and practice. Parents—pick a small prize that your child/children enjoy. This could be playing a game, eating a treat, watching a television show, or riding bikes outside—anything fun will work. Tell your children that if they’d like to receive the prize, they must complete the challenge. Set a timer for 2-3 minutes and tell your children that they must be patient and cannot do anything while they wait. It may seem like forever until the timer runs out while they have to sit patiently.

When the timer runs out, give the next challenge. Write a list of 3-4 tasks that your children must complete (putting items away, finding certain objects, completing a chore, etc.) and set the timer for 2-3 more minutes. The time will go quickly as everyone tries to complete the tasks in time. When the timer runs out, ask your child/children which went by faster: 1. Sitting and waiting; or 2. Working while you wait.

Reward the players with the prize and discuss how this applies to our life. While we eagerly wait for the return of our Savior, we cannot waste our time. We don’t have to sit around and wait. We can work while we wait and spread the good news of the gospel to grow the kingdom of God.

Missions Prayer
Pray for Global Workers in our church family, Winston and Emmy, serving the unreached in Sub-Saharan Africa. They have recently welcomed their first child.