Into the Light

Today’s Reading: 1 John 1

Today we begin our study of 1 John. As we fall in to the routines of fall, I find myself struggling a bit to find the rhythm of a new schedule. I’m teaching my children once again to be diligent with their school work, to do their best in after school activities and to go to bed on time. In a way, John is writing to the Christians in 70 A.D. about a similar season for recommitment. By the time John writes this letter, Christianity has been around for more than a generation. Despite surviving significant persecution, the primary challenge was declining commitment to the faith. The NIV study Bible commentary says this about 1 John: “Many believers were conforming to the worlds standards, failing to stand up for Christ, and compromising their faith. False teachers were plentiful, and were accelerating the church’s downward slide away from the Christian faith. John wrote this letter to put believers back on track, to show the difference between light and darkness.” This description of early Christians certainly echoes our modern lives. We are tested daily by societal values versus the values instilled in us by Jesus Christ. I like the idea of getting “back on track.” After all, isn’t that the miracle of God’s sacrifice of his only Son for us. We get to begin again, we get do overs, we are allowed to get it wrong as long as our heart is always working toward what is right. By confessing our sins to Him and coming in to the light increases our fellowship with Him. True confession also necessitates a commitment not to continue to sin. John says this about confession in verse 9:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1: 9-10

So, if God has forgiven our sins through sacrificing his Son, why do we need to confess? Through the process of re-commitment and admitting our sins to our Heavenly Father we can grow closer to him in three ways:

  • Agreeing with God that our sin is truly a sin and that we are willing to turn away from it
  • Ensuring that we don’t conceal our sins form him and consequently from ourselves
  • Recognizing our tendency to sin and relying on His power to overcome it

(adapted from NIV study Bible-Zondervan)

Through my study of His word today, I’m able to see that I go a long way to conceal my sin from myself and therefore my God. I’m bolstered by the idea of stepping into the light and recommitting myself to a clean slate. Lord, help us as your faithful servants to recommit to you. Help us to use this season of change to strengthen our relationships within our families and most importantly with you. We love you Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction to 1 John

Psalm 38

How do you view accountability?  As a child, accountability often looked like a yard stick.  Maybe that’s why I get nervous when I think about it.  I may not have liked it, but I always needed it.  Even now, as an adult.  It was true in Bible times too.  Today, as we ready to read 1 John, the apostle John is exercising his responsibility to hold Christians accountable.  When you examine it you will see three distinct components.  A reminder of who Jesus is, how we react to that understanding and finally, why it matters.

I John starts with a reminder of who Jesus is.  If you haven’t noticed, its easy to get mixed up about Jesus.  That is as true today as it was 2,000 years ago when John wrote this book.  People everywhere were questioning Jesus’ divinity.  After all, how is it possible to be human and God?  Our faith is easily sidetracked with such questions.  Many of us already have. For example, it is far easier to believe that Jesus was just a “good guy” than it is to believe he is God.  In 1 John, John rebutts these falsehoods with a strong message of truth.  He reminds us that Jesus was, in fact, “from the beginning,” meaning that he was with God before all of creation.  He also points to evidence of his humanity, recalling that they saw him personally and were able to touch him physically (John 20:27).  These reminders of truth hole us accountable to the core truth’s of Jesus.  

As we recall his perfect nature, John begins to encourage us to act accordingly.  The behavioral change John is talking about starts with our heart which is justified through Jesus’ sacrifice. We need to remember our need for forgiveness and salvation, often.  This remembrance causes behavioral changes.  He fills our renewed hearts with His love and goodness.  Out of this river, flows righteousness and good deeds.

In conclusion, John encourages us to be confident.  Not just for eternal life, but for true life.  Right here on earth.  God cares about our struggles.  He wants to intercede.  He will intercede.  Sometimes, we just need a reminded.

While We’re Waiting…

Today’s reading is 2 Peter 3 and Psalm 37.

I’m always amazed at how God speaks to through His Word to tell us what He wants to tell us right when we need it. As I write this, we are anxiously awaiting our third child with my wife at thirty-eight weeks pregnant. Generally speaking, she is the more patient of the two of us, but she just left for a walk because she is willing to do just about every wives’ tale (except drink castor oil) to get this baby to come out. My grandparents on my Mom’s side were some of the most laid back people I’ve ever known. I have heard my Dad say if they were sitting on the couch in their living room watching TV and the house went up in flames my Grandpa would likely calmly look over at my Grandma and say, “Well..Berniece…the house is on fire..we should probably leave now.” Due to this, my Mom is also a very patient person. Around 3 years ago, she began to have undiagnosed back issues and has been in a wheelchair most of the time since then, not knowing if she would ever walk again. Through this, I’ve not heard her complain once. In fact, instead she will tell you this has brought her closer to God, and she’s been in the Word more than ever. She is amazing and truly an inspiration to me. Just in the last few weeks she walked up to communion and drove for the first time. God is good!

As I mentioned earlier, it is amazing how God speaks to us through His Word.  These last few weeks I’ve become frustrated and impatient with some aspects of my life with things not happening how and as quickly as I would like them. Then, God smacks me on the side of the head with His Word (metaphorically speaking) with 2 Peter 3 and Psalm 37 on waiting for and trusting in Him.

2 Peter 3:4 tells us that others will get us to question Him and His promises, and I would add the we also do so in our own minds. We are reminded in 2 Peter 3:8-9 His timeline is not our timeline. He is not slow, but instead will give us what we TRULY need when we TRULY need it.

He also gives us instruction on what to do while we wait in these chapters. Psalms 37:4-5 says, “Seek your happiness in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desire. Give yourself to the Lord: trust in Him, and He will help you.” THIS is what I’m called to do during this time of waiting. Keep the focus on Him, not my worldly desires, and trust in Him.  More of today’s reading points to this in 2 Peter 3:14-15, 2 Peter 3:17-18, Psalms 37:7-9, and Psalms 37:34.

While God does not promise to give us the worldly things we ask for that we think are in our best interest, He does promise to always be there for us and give us what is truly best when it is truly best (Psalms 37:4-5, Psalms 37:9, Psalms 37:23-24, Psalms 37:34, Psalms 37:39-40, 2 Peter 3:9, and 2 Peter 3:13-15). He delivered on His promise of salvation and gave us the only thing we really need in Jesus’ perfect life, death, and resurrection freeing us from the bondage of sin.  When He allows us to have what we have been asking for, be healed, or walk again like my Mom (the details of this are a whole other story on God’s amazing provision), let us give Him and no one else the credit as Peter instructs us to do (2 Peter 3:18)! Glory to God..glory to God forever!

Check out this lyric music video for “Trust In You” by Lauren Daigle. I hope it can bring you strength and encouragement as it does me.

 

False Teachers

2 Peter 2 and Psalm 36

When I read these words the first time, I wasn’t sure where to start. I definitely prefer a more positive message. After rereading again (and again), I found hope and bit of a happier note in the Psalm.

As we start into the readings today by Simon Peter, he writes about false teachers and their destruction. False teachers started to spread rumors and teachings that were against God’s word. From what I am envisioning, these “teachers” were standing on street corners, preaching their views. They were trying to capture the hearts and minds of “depraved” people.

Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings;

If the people were weak or wanted to hear a different view or wanted to have someone support their wrongdoings such as greed, they listened to these false teachers.  However Peter points out that they will be fall into harm’s way.

13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.

Peter then goes on to tell of the many times God overruled these types of people and lead good or evil. As I was reading the examples of Lot, Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, I also thought about Moses. As he was leading the people out of Egypt, God demonstrated his power by parting the Red Sea and then collapsing it back in on the “evil” people. We read these examples of how God does have a plan to take care of those who follow his word.

17 These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.

Kind of harsh, but in a way comforting. It also reminds us that he is the judge. He will handle it. We don’t need to try to take over his “job” and condemn the evil. He’s got it.

As we read Psalm 23, the message is consistent. For those who don’t follow God or who don’t “fear” him, God will handle it. We hear his word:

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
    your justice like the great deep.

Again, I find comfort in this message. It’s all in God’s hands.  Let us take rest in knowing God has it under control even if we don’t see it right away.  We need to be patient.  Good can triumph over evil.

10 Continue your love to those who know you,
    your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 May the foot of the proud not come against me,
    nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 See how the evildoers lie fallen—
    thrown down, not able to rise!

 

 

 

Snap Out Of It

Do you ever forget, like I do, what we have access to as children of God? Often, I think we Christians forget that our lives don’t have to look the same as everyone else’s. Let me explain.

Think for a moment about the way the rest of the world lives their lives on a daily basis. Most people’s lives are packed to the max. Families are always stressed, way too busy, and pack their schedules with unnecessary commitments. People are wearing themselves out climbing the ladder of success, only to miss out on the joys of life along the way. People are living in fear and turning to material things and false securities to find their strength or a sense of peace. People are living with deep guilt and regret for the mistakes and choices they’ve made. Marriages are falling apart left and right, and the biggest priority in life seems to be self above all else. It’s a broken world… no one would argue with that.

Here’s my question: Why is it that the lives of so many Christians (my life included!) can start to resemble the picture I just painted? Granted, we are all broken and sinful people at the core, but I think we often forget that as adopted children of God, we have the opportunity to live differently than the rest of the world. Yet, it’s so easy to forget this truth when we live day to day life surrounded by a world that lives in the way I described above.

That’s why I love 2 Peter 1. Peter is writing to believers as if to say, “Snap out of it!” Often, I need this sort of shoulder-shaking faith reminder… and I’m sure you might, too.

2 Peter 1:1-9 (the MSG) says,

“Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust. So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books. So, friends, confirm God’s invitation to you, his choice of you. Don’t put it off; do it now. Do this, and you’ll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

There is seriously so much goodness in these sentences, and I could focus on any number of these truths… but I want to trust that no matter what time of the day you are pausing to read this little post, the Lord will reveal to you what part of those verses, or the entirety of 2 Peter 1, He wants you to rest in today.

For me, the biggest thing I think God is telling me is that I don’t have to live my life like the rest of the world does. In fact, my life should look totally different from the rest of the world. As a daughter of Christ, I can live in freedom… not overcome by guilt due to my mistakes and failings. I don’t have to cling to worldly things for my security or turn to temporary comforts for my satisfaction… the only thing that can truly satisfy my soul is my Jesus. I don’t have to be fearful about the future, but instead, I can trust that God has a plan for my life and that He is a provider at His very nature. I don’t have to be busy and stressed all the time, but I can live a full life. I can live a full life that honors God and allows me to treat my body like a temple, rather than running it into the ground all the time as I try to do “all the things” in order to just keep up. My goals don’t have to be centered around money, prosperity, and success… instead, they can just focus on what will honor my God the most every single day. And I don’t have to be enough on my own… in fact, I was never made to be enough in the first place. I shouldn’t hold myself to the same standards that the rest of the world holds themselves to… because the only reason they do so is the fact that they don’t know Jesus.

I hope you are reminded today that your life as a Christian should look different from the rest of the world’s lives… and that full life is already waiting for you to take hold of. Jesus is just waiting. 

The Lord Rescues

Intro to 2 Pet and Psalm 34

Welcome this morning to 2 Peter. It looks like Bible scholars best guess is that 2 Peter was written two-ish years after 1 Peter and maybe about a year before Peter died. He sends this second letter because he can foresee some of the problems that the people of Asia Minor will continue to face after he is gone and he wants to shore up their faith and the truth in their hearts. In this letter he warns believers about false teachers who might cause them to question their faith and he wants to seal in their minds that the reports about Jesus are completely true and not fiction. He wants to challenge them to continue to grow in their faith and to live Godly lives in anticipation of Jesus return. It all sounds so very practical for today…isn’t God amazing! He knew what the people of Asia Minor were facing 2000 years ago and He knows that His same help and truth is meaningful to us this morning.

Ps 34 A few days ago my husband and I made the trip to another state to move one of our 18 year old daughters into a dorm to begin her first year away from home at college. She and her dad are planners extraordinaire so for the past 6-8 months they have been making lists, planning schedules, planning weekend visits home, purchasing supplies, and readying her for this move. I knew it would be important for her to have her new surroundings feel like home so I did my part to try to replicate everything (on a much smaller scale) that makes her feel secure and comfortable…down to the same home fragrance we use here.  We even had her favorite meal, tacos, before she left. All three of us felt pretty confident in our preparation, training and readiness for her to move.

The night before my husband and I were to begin our trip back home without our daughter, she came over to our hotel room after dinner to visit. Tear drops started rolling down her cheeks from her big blue eyes and my husband and I felt shredded. She began to tell us that she was fine with being away from home, she was ready to make new friends, and she didn’t feel nervous about how she would do in her classes…everything was fine except that she wasn’t prepared for losing her entire adult support system in one weekend. She has built relationships with parents of kids she babysat for, she was blessed enough to have relationships with several of her good friends parents, we have some family close enough to us that they have been able to be in her life, and we have dear friends who have loved our kids like their own for years. She was losing a big system that would not be quickly replicated in a new city and in a college setting. These people are a big part of her safety net and her everyday life and now they would be miles away. We talked through the fact that none of these people would stop loving and supporting her because of this move but we all knew it would look a lot different. In my heart, I was crying out to God, “How do I help her through this?” I knew I was pretty much powerless.

The next morning my husband and I gave her our final hugs and headed off for 7 ½ hours in the car to home. Our hearts were so heavy we could hardly talk to each other. It was hard. About 4 hours into the trip my husband called our daughter to see how her morning had gone. (We just flat needed some encouragement!) When our daughter answered the phone, she sounded like a different kid than the one we had left a few hours back. She was her usual happy, chipper little self and my husband and I were looking at each other with eyes as big as saucers wondering what had happened. She began to tell us that she had gone to church with a girl she had met at orientation back in June. They went in and found a seat and the lady next to her in the pew introduced herself to the girls. When the lady (who is close to my age) found out they were students, she visited with them and told them they were welcome at her home any time they wanted to get away from the dorm, do some baking or cooking or just study in peace for a few hours. She also made a date for several days later to have them over for dinner. Let me remind you that we are talking about God here… one sweet lady at church just isn’t enough of a gift from Him. He also let our daughter’s roommate run into an adult cousin of hers at church. The cousin and family took the girls out for lunch after church and filled a few more hours of that first long day of nothing to do before classes start. What? Really God? In just a few hours He completely turned things around for our daughter and comforted my husband and I beyond what we can express! Are all her troubles solved with these gifts from God? We all know they are not. She will still feel loss and probably struggle with many different fears about the unknown in the days and weeks to come but she does walk away knowing that God cares deeply about her and what she is dealing with today. She got to see His interest in her life and His love specifically for her, in several people reaching out to meet her exact need, hours after we had cried out to God! I think I could have penned David’s Psalm 34 myself on the rest of our drive home. Read it again, it’s only 22 verses, to see the hope and unabandoned joy that David gets from God, and the praise and gratefulness he tries to give back to God. It’s beautiful and my heart seeks to give God the honor He deserves for His precious personal love for each one of us!

 

Also..the lady who had her over for dinner on Wednesday fixed tacos for dinner!!

You Are Not Alone

When I first read through 1 Peter 5, the chapter we are reading together today, Peter’s commands jumped out at me. Shepherd the flock. Be subject to the elders; Clothe yourselves with humility. Humble yourselves. Cast all your anxieties on him. Be sober-minded and watchful and merciful. Resist the devil.

I started to think about selecting a few of these commands to write about. I have always loved the image of a shepherd, so I began to think about how I could apply that idea to our current lives today.

And then I read through the chapter again, and a different theme came into focus: you are not alone. No, these exact words are not in this letter. However, the language Peter chooses to use implies that he is encouraging his readers to remember that they are in community with one another. Although they may feel alone at times, they are members of a community of believers.

I knew that Peter had written this letter, but I did not know his intended audience. I learned that the recipients of this letter were “those chosen, living as exiles” (1 Peter 1:1). These exiles were most likely persecuted Christians. It makes sense, then, that Peter felt led to encourage them to remember that they were not alone in a harsh world.

In verse 9, Peter writes, “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” (1 Peter 5:9) Peter is referring to the devil here, and he is exhorting us to resist him. Peter encourages us in our suffering by reminding us that others in the world are suffering in the same ways that we are. This is an encouragement not because we wish for others to suffer – but because it reminds us that there is a community of sufferers. We can encourage each other – and receive encouragement from each other – in our suffering.

My favorite example of Peter reminding us that we are not alone comes at the very beginning of this letter. In verse 2, Peter writes, “…shepherd the flock of God that is among you…being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2-3). By using the word flock (twice!) Peter reminds us that we are part of a group, a community of believers. We are not alone. More importantly, we are reminded in this verse that we have a shepherd to follow. He is the only shepherd we can completely trust; in fact, Peter refers to him as the “Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4). Thanks be to God!

A Pear

 

Todays Reading: 1 Peter 4

Several weeks ago, Jillian and I embarked on a wellness journey together to renew our bodies, minds, spirit and relationship. The adventure that we are on focuses our energy to rethink how we eat and what we eat. I have had to take a few more doses of “will power” and dedication to stay committed. Some of my favorite foods are breads and grains to which this program is not ascribed. I have been eating a larger amount of the healthy foods: fruits and veggies. I have notice a positive change in my energy, focus, and endurance.

As I am retraining my mind and body I started to consume large amounts of fruits and veggies as I had previous mentioned. As an example, one day I packed for lunch and snacks: 1 bag of chopped carrots, 1 bag of chopped celery, a bag of pistachios, a fit-packer container of chicken and sweet potatoes and a apple and a pear. I felt almost like the hungry caterpillar. Throughout the day I consumed about 90% of the lunch, except for the pear. An aside, I am constantly purchasing too unripen fruit and my wife always reminds me. So with that stated, the pear was a beautiful green pear and hard as a rock when it was purchased. While on this journey, I would bring lunches as the one previously detailed to work and forgot about the pear.

About a week went by and I remembered the pear. I searched the fridge for the pear and finally found it at the back of the office fridge. It was bumped and bruised and soft and something really not appetizing. Then I remembered a story from my mission days about a traveler who would have the luxury of having pear. I had to just try and see if this pear would be any good. I took a bite and the pear was awesome. It had to be given a little bit of misuse and handling and struggles and strife to really allow the fullness of the flavor and refreshment to be fulfilled. It was so tasty that I almost ate the core.

1 Peter 4:12-16

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[b] and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

Here we are told about the sufferings and pain that use Christians will face and what the rewards are. Its like this pear, when we are green and sparkling we are unripe and easy to watch and see. But the fullness of the manifestation of God is only seen when we have some bruises, some scars, some disappointments, some hard days, some crying nights, and some unrest. We have to have hope, because when we are at the lowest humbled level this is when God can and will do some amazing work in us and through us. We have to be vulnerable to allow the Spirit to make us bruised so that others can see the sweetness and awesomeness of God.

Take ways:

  • Journeys with my wife are always fun and exciting
  • The Spirit wants to work with you and make you ripe
  • The more bruises that you have, the more work God has prepared
  • As Paul states “ when I am weak, he is strong” – 2 Corinthians 12:10

Be blessed this week.

A Ready Answer

In todays reading of 1 Peter 3, Peter gave godly advice to husbands and wives with guidance on suffering for righteousness sake. He gave wise instruction on how to grow in grace and live a godly life.. and he encouraged them as he encourages us.. to live in harmony with our Christian brothers and sisters.

But, there is one more piece of godly wisdom that Peter wants to share to all who know Jesus. No matter where we live or what our life-circumstances may be, as God’s children, we should be ready to answer anyone who asks us about our faith in Christ and our trust in God.

This brings me to a very personal experience I had…

In 1992, I had graduated from Bible College and lived in a small apartment, while I was teaching preschool and leading a before/after school program. This was my first experience of complete independence. I was visiting Churches in my new town and deciding what would be a good “fit” for me. After visiting one particular church, I received a phone call. I still recall the sinking feeling I had while on the phone with the caller. My stomach still falls and my cheeks turn red just thinking about the conversation and my answer to the question she asked me. Because of this, I am not sure I have ever shared this incident with anyone. But, the verse we read  in 1 Peter 3 puts that phone call in perspective and reminds me of a HUGE lesson I learned that day so many years ago…

ALWAYS BE PREPARED
TO GIVE AN ANSWER
TO EVERYONE
WHO ASKS YOU!

1 Peter 3:15…”But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”

The kind lady asked me a few preliminary questions about my beliefs and then asked me, “Well, Stephanie, can I ask you why you think you will go to Heaven when you die?” I do not even remember thinking, I responded quickly with, “I will go to Heaven because I am a good person, I go to Church, and I always try to do the right thing.” (Did I mention I had already graduated from Bible College?!?!?!) I think I literally felt shame as I heard her respond to me.  She said, “Stephanie, I am sure you are a good person and do good things, but, that is NOT going to get you into Heaven. You get to go to Heaven because Jesus Christ died on the cross FOR YOU and has forgiven you of your sins. Not because of anything you have done or can do.” I still can picture myself on the corded phone sitting in the little corner of my apartment listening to this lady. I agreed with her and then ended the phone call quickly as I was too embarrassed for this lady to know anything else about me. I felt so much shame right then and there! I know that my answer did not change anything God felt for me on that day (Thank You Jesus for Your Grace and Mercy on me)!!  And, I still know that I would have gone to Heaven, because in my heart of hearts I knew what the lady said was true. But, guess what???? I was NOT prepared with an answer! Nobody had flat out asked me that question before! We think we will answer the right way, but will we when we are put on the spot???

I am much better sharing my experiences with people and how God has worked in my life. I can share an event and the Hope that I had in Christ and how the answers came (usually never as I expected). But, am I ready with direct answers to questions others may have about my Hope in Jesus? I learned from this phone conversation over 20 years ago, that I must prepare myself daily to be ready with an answer. To be ready, I must ask God for daily wisdom. I also, must daily fill myself with His Word, so that I know and can recall Jesus’ Love and Hope that He wants me to share with others. God wants to use us daily to share our Hope that we have in HIM. Are you ready with your answer?

Who are you?

Today’s reading:  1 Peter 2, Psalm 30

When you meet someone new, or are asked to introduce yourself, what do you say? How do you describe who you are?  Do you talk about your job, your family, or your hobbies?

Both of my children are in middle school this year, Annika in her first year of middle school, and Freddy in his last year.  It has been an interesting first two weeks as we’ve been helping Annika make choices about extra-curricular activities.  Okay, maybe more challenging than just interesting.  See, she’s never met an extra-curricular activity she wasn’t interested in, and she wants to be good at EVERYTHING!  As a parent, I want her to have the opportunity to try a variety of different things.  It is my hope she’ll eventually discover the intersection of her abilities and what she enjoys doing…something she loves and will be passionate about pursuing.

Over the course of the last two weeks, Annika has either participated in, or asked to try, gymnastics, diving, Japanese, basketball, game club, circus, the school play and the flute.  Did I mention she is 10 years old and just starting middle school?  She has a genuine interest in these activities, but she is also swayed by what her friends are doing.  She wants to be in the mix, she doesn’t want to let her friends down, and certainly doesn’t want to pass on something she might later regret!  She is simply trying to figure out who she is in this new middle school environment.  Can you identify with her situation?  I can think of countless times over the course of my 44 years where I’ve stopped and reflected on these same questions – Who am I?  What defines me?  How do I want to be described?  What is my brand?

As I was studying today’s assigned reading, 1 Peter 2:9-10 made me stop and think about Annika.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy (1 Peter 2:9-10).

More than finding her passion, I want Annika to know her value isn’t determined by her skills, abilities, or the activities in which she participates.  She has worth because of what God has done for her.  He chose her!  The scripture says, you are a chosen people…God’s special possession.  Unfortunately life will still bring her disappointments, regardless of what activities she chooses.  But trusting Jesus is the wisest choice she will ever make.  He will never let her down.

For in Scripture it says:  “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6).