1 PETER 2:9

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.

TO PONDER

I sometimes struggle with verses like this. I'm not really one of those Christians with a 'before and after' story of my life with Jesus. I was baptised as an infant and raised in a wonderfully nurturing Christian home. I don't recall a dramatic conversion experience like Paul on the road to Damascus, or like Peter - a fisherman on day and professional Jesus disciple and fisher of men the next. I don't recall walking in the darkness and being called into the light.

And yet I am confident that on the day of my baptism that is exactly what happened. However, there are times I feel like I'd maybe be better at witnessing to Jesus if I had a good 'before and after' story, a testimony of life before encountering Jesus and what it has been like since.

The good thing about this though is that these words from 1 Peter as not just words to us as individual believers, they are words for the whole collective body of Christ. Now that's not an opportunity for the more introverted among us to 'opt out' and leave the evangelism to those with cool conversion stories. On the contrary, it is an invitation to work collectively, to hear and listen to each other as we share our stories of life with Jesus. My faith story might not be the best one to reach my friends and family, but yours might be. No single one of us has all the tools for every situation. God has given us each other so that together we can be his chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation - His treasured possession and together declare his praise.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, help me to remember that my life with you is not intended to be a private thing. It might be intimate, it may be personal, but it is a life to be shared in the vibrant community of your church in the world. Help me to faithfully fulfil my role as one of your chosen people and treasured . Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle