Be submissive to those who are older. – 1 Peter 5:5 (1 Peter 5:5-10)
Submit ter yer elders.
Put on humility.
Skipper gives grace ter tha humble, so humble yer self under Skip’s mighty hand.
Some preach that we be called ter stand up fer Skipper and tha Son. Ter be sure, thar be times when taking a stand fer Skip’s Truth and Love be tha right call. Only, thar be a great many more times when tha right call be ter submit ter tha needs of others, be humble, show grace, offer mercy, or simply keep yer trap shut. If ya feel yer blood running hot and tha hairs on yer neck stiffening, ya kin be sure that be tha spirit of pride prodding ya ter say or do a thing that ‘ill harm Skip’s good name and reputation.
Besides which, it’ll harm others.
Be alert. Yer enemy prowls about looking fer folks ter devour. A good many times that black-hearted devil ‘ill snare a feller with tha very words of Skipper. Tha devil ‘ill twist Skip’s words and cast dispersion on tha Son and Skipper, then watch fer us ter take tha bait.
Resist tha urge ter lash out.
Take a deep breath—then take another. And another ‘till ya have yer wits back in yer head and yer tongue secured.
Stand firm in tha faith, but do so with calm conviction. This be tha example of tha Son. He ne’er ranted or thrashed about ‘cept fer that one time in tha Temple when he cleaned house. Rest of tha time he stood firm with tha steady hand of a helmsman sailing straight in ter a squall.
If ya humble yer self under tha mighty hand of Skipper he ‘ill:
- Restore ya
- Make ya strong
- Make ya firm
- Make ya stand fast through rough seas and gales
What be the final outcome of any action? That be tha question we ought ter ask. Plot its course and ya ‘ill know if that be a heading Skipper be asking ya ter steer.