Such a smart aleck, confident without reason, standing up on a folding ladder to spray some nasty bugs which we don’t want or need outside our home.  My wife cautions me to make sure the four legs are well-positioned and secure.  Of course, I will.  What does she think I am?  No comments, please!  You know.  You know.  One leg gets lodged off-center on a piece of cement, and another is angled poorly between some rocks, which must have come from my head.

Yes, wisenheimer, you’re right, of course!  Down I go!  Like a ton of bricks.  With ribs crashing against that unforgiving metal ladder.  The shock was instantaneous.  The pain is searing.  Things broken?  Fortunately not.  But a humungous monster bruise develops that looks more like some ugly abstract artwork.  Tenderness lasts for months with access to that ladder forbidden by you-know-who from here on out.  Steady Eddie, I’m not!

The Apostle Peter warns us that this world wants to put us off guard.  Unsteady us, spiritually.  Wobbly while placing us out on a limb–‘…take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability’ (2 Peter 3:17).

Our culture bullies believers with almost any kind of sin they can think of.  Unfortunately, we’re vulnerable to their siren songs.  Are we much different from the ungodly?  Honestly?  Being different isn’t the be-all and end-all.  How about fitting in and being liked?  That’s a horse of a different color.  Getting ahead of the Joneses?  That green-eyed jealous monster?  Who doesn’t struggle with these temptations?

So what does Peter recommend to help keep us solidly on our feet, spiritually speaking?  Read on–‘ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be glory…’ (2 Peter 3:18).  It’s simple.  Keep growing.  Not my waistline or our investment portfolio.  No.  But something far more important.  Grow in Jesus.  In His grace.  In His love, kindness, and caring.  His forgiveness.  And much more.

That’s what Peter recommends.  But how?  It’s as obvious as the ample nose on my face.  In His Word.  Your Bible.  In fellowship with other believers.  Sharing Him with others.  Giving and supporting mission work, whichever ones move your heart.

All this grows our knowledge of Jesus, which is how we stand up tall and straight, secure and steady.  Actually, nothing else seems to work.  I’ve tried a few.  They don’t.  Period.

Lord Jesus, we want to be faithful forever.  In your name and for your sake.  Amen.