From Rejection to Acceptance

1 Peter 2:9-10 (MSG)  But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—  from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

As a child I hated gym class.  There were a number of reasons but probably the one that stands out the most is waiting to be chosen for a team.  When we would be learning a new sport, basketball for instance, the leaders of the team chose who they wanted on their side.  While it may sound like a pity party, I was not anyone's first choice, nor second, third...you get the picture.

We can't all be first on someone's list of preferred teammates.  To be perfectly honest, if my pride wasn't so heavily involved, I would have been perfectly content to side on the sidelines and watch the game from that perspective. Looking back it seems so silly to have placed my self-worth on the line with being picked first. As an adult there are other things I attach to my self-image.  But I recognize they are the idols of my adulthood.

As I read from 1 Peter 2 and come across the line, you are the ones chosen by God, I take my breath in. Chosen by God, what does that mean?  Finally, a team I can play on that needs me, but it isn't play but work. What does it mean, to do his work and speak out for him? I was chosen, not for my own accomplishments.  The only thing I did was choose which team to play on.

Which team is recruiting your gifts?  Which team has drafted you, chosen you to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you?

1 Peter 2