God's Chosen People

God’s Chosen People

“But you are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done.” 1 Peter 2:9

Darren Sproles shouldn’t be playing NFL football. The average height of an NFL quarterback is just over 6”2”. Running backs average height is 5”11” and weighing in at about 215 pounds. Not only does Sproles play in the NFL, he broke the record for most single-season all-purpose yardage in 2011, with 2,629 yards. Playing for the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints and the Philadelphia Eagles, he is the first player in NFL history with 2,200+ all-purpose yards in four different seasons.

I love stories about people who “shouldn’t” excel in their given careers. If all someone knew about him was his size, few would think Sproles would amount to much in professional football. Did I fail to mention he is the all-time leading rusher at Kansas State where he played his college ball? Inside that “smaller than the average player” young man is an unexpected powerhouse that flattens defenders on the gridiron.

Sproles chose to exceed the limits of his physical makeup. He decided he could go much further than the expectations of those who thought he might not have what it takes. I know nothing of his personal life, but you can bet he has an inner resolve, a steel-like drive that keeps him focused on his goals. His belief-system has not been shaped by what is “ordinary” or “average”, but, instead, by what is excellent.

Not all of us are athletes. We don’t all win trophies or get our names mentioned among the famous or wealthy. But, we can all be people of excellence. The apostle Peter tells a group of first century Christians that they are God’s “chosen and special people”. He did not write this to the Board Members of Ford Chariot Company, the Emperor’s cabinet, or the brainy architect of the Roman Coliseum. He penned these words to a cross-section of society whose lives had been changed by Jesus.

Often meeting in secret, sometimes among the ancient catacombs, the underground burial places under Rome. Imagine being part of this small band of Jesus-followers in ancient Rome. On the one hand, your life has been completely transformed by faith in Jesus who had been crucified and who rose from the dead. On the other hand, in Roman society, you held little to no sway. You were just one among many. And, within just a few years, to even make yourself known as one of Jesus” followers could mean death for you or your family.

So, these “nothings” as far as society is concerned, are actually a group of kings and priests! Living in the most powerful nation on earth at the time, they had little power at all, yet Peter calls them a “holy nation”.  Though they worshiped in the darkness of the catacombs, they were now people full of God’s glory and light!

Do not compare yourself to others with more power or popularity. Don’t worry that you haven’t made your fortune or built your dream house. If you have followed Jesus, you are God’s chosen one, more special to Him than you can ever imagine.

Do not let the world around you dictate your worth anymore. God Himself has said you are chosen. Why waste so much time trying to get the world’s attention when you have already caught God’s eye. He is the one who has called you special. By faith in Jesus, you and I belong to Father God who has invited us out of darkness, away from mediocrity, and into a life of light and excellence.

Don’t settle for the ordinary, dear one. God has called you to be extraordinary. In fact, the real truth is that you are already extraordinary. The moment you turned your heart to Jesus the light of God began to burn bright from within your very being. The old life you lived in the shadows is completely gone; wiped out! You are first string; first team. So, go out today and live it out.