1468) I have a small sewing business on the side along with my writing and teaching and whenever I have to order a specific fabric, I often run into problems. What is it? Well…my Post Office box address is in one small town and my physical address is in another. (I know, it’s complicated.) When a fabric source does not list how they ship, I never know which address to provide–as UPS and FedEx do not ship to Post Office boxes.

I got a notice the other day that my fabric was shipping to my Post Office box when they asked for my physical address. Because a couple of weeks have already passed and my customer wants what they ordered, I called the company and spoke assertively that I need this taken care of sooner than later.

After finishing my call, I sat back and pondered the conversation. I could have been aggressive and mean, but I held myself back (though I don’t always do this successfully) because I wanted to represent myself well and not come off like a jerk.

This is the very thing Peter addresses in I Peter 5:1-4. Here he’s speaking to those in authority in the church. He reminds his readers they need to demonstrate a good example to those they govern. I think this is a good message for all of us.

Whatever our roles are, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves, we should always strive to be a good example. This is important because not only does God command it, we do not know what other people’s circumstances are at the time. They may be on the cusp of disaster or despair and we don’t need to add to it.

Be a good example.