He chose YOU

Sometimes it's hard to believe that the Bible was not written in our current time.  The New Testament letters written by the apostles speak so clearly to our present culture; they are rich in wisdom and warnings.  As I read them, I find myself in awe of the timelessness of those spiritual truths.

The daily news and the Internet bring us every opportunity to be jaded by what's happening in our communities and in the world.  At times we may be overwhelmed by the thought of how to live in a godly way in our current times.  Tolerance is valued more than truth; relevance is esteemed over righteousness.   If we are honest, allowing ourselves to be drawn into those seemingly gray areas of life can feel easier than living uprightly.  But in his first letter, written to "God's chosen people who are living as foreigners," (1 Pet. 2:1), the apostle Peter tells us that this does not have to be so:

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 

“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people.Once you received no mercy;    now you have received God’s mercy." 

                                                          (1 Peter 2:9-10, New Living Translation)

God has CHOSEN us to show forth His goodness, His love, His mercy.  We are His people. ( I especially love the part that says we are "God's very own possession.")  How can we not live a righteous, holy, and upright life?  How can we not live as light in a dark place?  There are people in your life and mine who right now are living in the first part of verse 10: "Once you had no identity as a people..."  We have been CHOSEN to show them who they can be, to extend goodness and mercy when they have not experienced those gifts in your life.

Do you believe it?  Do YOU feel chosen?  Friend, this is not like that time on the playground or gym class when we were the last ones to be picked for the kickball game - if we were picked at all.  Being chosen and being picked are not the same thing.  Vegetables are picked.  You, my beautiful friend, have been chosen.  But it's difficult to extend to someone else what we do not possess ourselves.  So let me invite you to join me and some amazing women this upcoming weekend at the "You Are Chosen" conference in New Port Richey, Florida.  Spend the day in God's presence.  Hear encouraging messages and stories from women just like you.  Celebrate the fact that YOU are chosen for just this moment in time!  Find a babysitter.  Grab a friend.  It's not to late to register and you can even come at the last minute if you have to.  I'll be looking for you!