SUMMARY: Chosen
OVERVIEW: Followers of Jesus are temporary residents on earth, but they are to live strategically by loving their neighbors and doing good, even if it means suffering.
BIG IDEA: God chose us to show and share the love we received from him.
KEY VERSE: 1 Peter 2:9 (Peter reminds the church of their identity in Christ)
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.
IF GOD WROTE YOU A LETTER
You are my child, and I love you. Don’t live off the junk food of the world, consuming hours and hours of media or allowing social media posts to determine your mood for the day. Feast on my word. Crave it. Let it shape you. Let my words build you up and form your perspective. You are not just filling up space on this planet. I have chosen you to function as a priest, living for me and being a guide for others to know how to live.
You have received my mercy. Don’t toss it aside—let it form how you think and live. In the scope of eternity, you have limited time on earth. Use it strategically. Don’t waste your time with the world’s ways. Understand the world so that you can help others know there is more to life. Invite them to live for me and stand firm, even if others mock you or threaten you. Persecution is not new. Jesus suffered, and I want you to follow in his steps, even if that means you must also endure suffering.
NEXT STEP
Take time for quiet reflection. Ask God if there is anything he wants you to do that you’ve been putting off, possibly out of fear. If so, pray for strength, ask a friend for support, and then obey God. If nothing comes to mind, ask God to prepare you to respond in obedience when the time is right.
VIDEO CLIP
BONUS Lyric Video with song story