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blog 2/11/17

- Debbie

When I was a kid we memorized all of our Bible verses from the King James Version. I always hated the verse that says we are to be a “peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9). Is that what God really wanted from me? I already had buckteeth, braces and glasses. I had a little bump on my chin that won me the nickname “Wart-head” and I was skinny…really skinny…no, really, really, really skinny! Didn’t I already feel weird, insecure and out of place enough? Now I’m supposed to be peculiar…on purpose?

   Fortunately for me the braces fixed the buckteeth, the “wart-head” was just a little cyst that eventually went away and I did eventually outgrow the skinny version of myself. I would like a little bit of the skinny back, but you take the good with the bad. I also re-read the verse.

   “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.” -1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)

   Although this version doesn’t use the word peculiar, it does let me know the ways that I, as a believer, am peculiar. It is not my teeth, poor eye sight, body shape or awkward personality. As a believer in Jesus Christ I am peculiar, or unique because I am…

   1. Chosen…John 15:16 says “You didn’t choose me. I chose you…” God looked at me, wart-head and all, and said “that’s who I want in my family.” He said that about you too.

   2. Made to be used in his plan…as a “royal priest”. It’s hard to understand why God chooses to use broken, weak and incapable humanity to be the conduit of his message, but he absolutely does. John 15:16 also says: “I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit…” He not only appoints us, but he empowers us. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” So those good things, that lasting fruit, is something he designs us for and empowers us to do.

   3. Holy…I am set apart. Galatians 6:14 says: “…Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.” When we are Holy there is a disconnect between us and the world. Our interest is no longer in the world, and quite frankly the world will lose interest in us because of it. I suppose that is where the “peculiar” comes in.

   4. His possession…not always a popular sentiment, being a possession, but belonging to Christ means that “no one can snatch me from the Father’s hand.” (John 10:29) and that nothing can separate me from his love. (Romans 8:39). There is comfort, security and safety there.

   So, although I may be peculiar, I have also found my identity, my purpose, my safety and my empowerment because I am peculiar. In light of all these things I have been made free to recklessly show the goodness of God to others. I am free to take a great big step out of darkness and into his wonderful light. Ok, I guess peculiar isn’t so bad after all.

"Peculiar On Purpose"