you are a chosen people

august 14 scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

“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. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

Journaling Prompts: 

1. Quiet yourself. Now imagine Jesus standing before you - looking intently at you. Slowly and prayerfully consider these words:

I have CHOSEN you

I have CALLED you

You are my ELECT

I have NAMED you

I have PICKED you

Let these words penetrate your heart. When you are ready, take some time to reflect in your journal on their impact. How does knowing that you have been chosen change the way you approach your day? The challenges you face? The way you think about yourself?

2. The passage emphasizes that those chosen by God form a community - a community of worshipers, a community set apart, a community charged with a mission to proclaim God's goodness and live as recipients of his mercy. Consider that while we are EACH chosen and named - each of us special and unique, our identity is also inextricably tied to our membership in a holy community.

Think (and write) about how it feels (or might feel) to BELONG - to be on the inside - to be welcomed, valued and included in a community. Consider that the Apostle Peter proclaims our membership in this community as a fact. Does your experience align with this fact? If not, you may want to write a letter to God, explore this in prayer, or speak with a fellow believer about it.

3. What does it mean to be identified (called, named) as a recipient of God's mercy?

What would characterize such an identity?

Try this as you enter into contemplative prayer. Slowly repeat to yourself - "I accept God's mercy. I embrace God's mercy. I receive God's mercy." Listen and watch for what the Spirit is working in you as you do this.