Message from Pastor Jim 04/20/2026

From the desk of Pastor Jim

Grace and peace to you, friends,

Let’s be honest—when we hear a passage like 1 Peter 2:19–25, our first reaction might be, “Wait…this is about enduring suffering? Patiently? Are we sure there isn’t a more cheerful passage we could go with?”

But before we quietly flip the page, Peter actually has something surprisingly hopeful—and even a little encouraging—to say.

Peter reminds us that sometimes we find ourselves dealing with things that just aren’t fair. Maybe it’s a difficult situation, a misunderstanding, or one of those moments where you’re doing your best and still getting the short end of the stick. (You know, like when you follow all the instructions and still can’t get the coffee maker to cooperate on a Monday morning!)

Into those real-life moments, Peter points us to Jesus—not as a distant example, but as someone who understands. Christ, he says, suffered too. He was misunderstood, mistreated, and yet responded not with anger, but with trust in God. Now, that doesn’t mean we have to enjoy difficult situations (let’s not get carried away!), but it does remind us that we are not alone in them.

What I love most about this passage is the image at the end: we are like sheep who have wandered off, but now we have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls. That’s good news. Because if we’re honest, we’ve all had our wandering moments—times when we’ve lost our way, tried to handle everything ourselves, or just drifted a bit.

And yet, here’s the heart of it: we are not left to figure it all out on our own. We belong to a Shepherd who watches over us, guides us, and gently leads us back when we stray.

So this week, if life feels a little unfair, a little frustrating, or just a little heavy, take heart. You are seen. You are known. And you are being led by One who knows the way forward—even when we don’t.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Jim