Reading: 1 Peter
2: 9-10
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s
own people, in order that you might proclaim the mighty acts of him who called
you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but
now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have
received mercy.”
Do you remember times on the playground in school or camp where teams
were chosen? Were you quietly thinking ‘pick me, pick me’, or ‘don’t pick me’?
What about now at home or work or organizations?
Being chosen for any task implies a responsibility. And even when we
deeply desire the opportunity we don’t always feel capable. Or qualified. Or
confident we won’t fail.
Yet here the Lord calls His people not only chosen but priests and
holy. So far beyond our deepest desires or strengths—even those with some
pastoral training. Chosen by the Lord Himself—why—how—for what purpose—here—now—in
my family—my work—my community?
Is it not as staggering a concept for us today as it was then?
And yet, we have been called
out of darkness. We have received His
mercy. We have been gifted with His
light and His Spirit. We have been
given truth to share.
Chosen to pass it on. Chosen to encourage hope. Chosen to love others
as He has loved us. In His strength, not ours. So any act of mercy is possible.
Proclaim.
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 27: 8
“’Come’, my heart says, ‘Seek his face!’
Your face Lord so I seek.”
