In my last blog I wrote about the “Double Trouble with Working Remotely.” One of the verses I turned to was 1 Peter 5:7. It is normally translated “casting all your anxieties on him” or “cast all your anxiety on him.” So I was surprised when the New English Translation (NET) read, “by casting all your cares on him” [emphasis mine]. In the Greek text, “casting” is a particle.[1] The NET Bible is translating this particle as a particle of means linked to the command to humble ourselves in verse 6. How do we humble ourselves? By casting all our cares on him.
As I reflected on 1 Peter 5:6–7, it made sense to see by casting all my cares on him as the means of humbling myself. Worrying is a type of pride. Worry says I will take on the concerns that I should give to a God who cares for me.[2] Pray that Donna and I will humble ourselves by casting our cares on him.
Donna is back in Texas after teaching Child Development. Praise God her class went well. For Donna, this was a fast trip. As I mentioned in my last blog, Donna has become her mom’s “person.” Pray for Donna as she readjusts to the rhythm of life in the USA.
My longtime friend Mario taught Apologetics while I handled all the academic issues of the class. Praise God that the course went well and Mario had a great time teaching. Pray for Mario as he works on raising scholarships for students.
Saturday (Mar 28) was graduation at Africa Theological Seminary (ATS). Praise for a joyous celebration of what the Lord has done. Currently, I am teaching Exegesis, which is a tough class. Pray for the students.
Continue to pray for ATS and the local issues around accreditation.
Footnotes:
[1] Greek particles are extremely versatile, which accounts for various nuances and abuses. Daniel B. Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics: Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament. Zondervan, 1996. 613.
[2] ESV Global Study Bible, Crossway, 2012, 1 Peter 5:7.