We are now in the third day of the first month of 2010! The Christmas season is over with people who were on vacation returning to work; children returning to school. The routine begins again…and sadly, with it, far too many leave the joy they experienced with family and friends, and take on the attitude of Mr. Scrooge once again!
One of the things that goes with pursuing after God with intentionality is that we know there is going to be a kind of “let down” when we return to our “regularly scheduled program,” after the highs we feel when we are with those we love; but – we purpose in our hearts to remember that the strength we gained- can be shared – and in sharing it we gain more. God’s strange mathematical principle – by dividing – we multiply!
I love reading Peter because Peter was a man of strong passions – quick to act out of emotion, and as a result, sometimes making great mistakes. But there was one thing about Peter, (and it was probably that characteristic that made the Lord love him so), when Peter got it, HE GOT IT! When the revelation finally became clear to him, he wasn’t afraid or ashamed to tell it – he didn’t wallow in regret over his past – he took that same passion and drive that made him act out of emotion, to act intentionally for God!
In 1 Peter 2:8-10 we read:
8And,
“He is the stone that makes people stumble,
the rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.
9 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.
10 “Once you had no identity as a people;
now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God’s mercy.”
Peter understood God’s mercy – he received the mercy and forgiveness of God and he received his adoption into the family, and walked as a family member, with all rights and privileges.
Too many of us walk as foster children Christians, always walking outside of the family – never really sure whether we’re welcome at the family table. One of the things that both unnerves me and also gets my attention about the children of faith born in this generation is the way they receive gifts, no questions asked. If you give them something they have prayed for, they may not even remember to thank you – for they believe that you were just the Fed Ex guy – God was the sender!
Can we of the “old school” grasp this concept – that now we are the people of God, that He has called us out of darkness, into His marvelous light – we have a new family, a family of royal lineage – we don’t have to wonder if there are servants in the house – there are- in fact there’s a host of angels that no one can count – waiting to be called on assignment in our behalf! There is food in the cupboard – and gas in the car – there are robes to put on for every occasion – for in this family – the head of the family is named Jehovah Jireh – the God of more than enough!
May you enjoy your journey this year,
Maria