Advent Devotion – A Light Shines in the Darkness – Day 20

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.
1 Peter 2:9

Reflecting Our Savior’s Light

I sat in a large room surrounded by more than forty missionaries, each with theology degrees and ministry experience that far surpassed mine. The leader posed a simple but piercing question: Which of these attributes do you least identify with from 1 Peter 2:9? Being chosen? Being priests? Being holy? Being God’s special possession?

My mind whirled. “Chosen?” That certainly fit. My parents ingrained that truth in me from childhood: “For [God] chose us in him before the creation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). “Holy?” Absolutely. On Christ the solid rock I stand, washed perfectly clean by faith in my Redeemer. “God’s special possession?” Some days it doesn’t feel like it, but the cross proves it beyond a doubt.

But a priest? That one stopped me. I hadn’t gone to seminary. God did not call me to lead a flock. It was my first year as a missionary, and I already felt unprepared to face the questions and situations that I knew would come.

My thoughts wandered to the tribe of Levi and to Aaron’s family line—generation after generation devoted to the priesthood. What did the women do in that tribe, I had always wondered? Then I remembered Revelation 5:9-10, the vision of heaven and the new song: “With your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God.”

And there it was—the reason for all the praise. The Lamb, looking as if slain and yet triumphant on the throne. Our Lord, who set human feet on earth with unwavering determination, who walked every perfect step to the cross for us, for me.

My priesthood has nothing to do with my degrees, my experience, or my gender. It has everything to do with the message I have been given. The most precious message: that the darkness of my sin, the pit of my failures, the grim battle I could never win was shattered by the moment my Lord cried, “It is finished.” In that cry, the darkness in my soul turned to blinding light. I stand in that light, my eyes dazzled, my heart finally knowing that peace that surpasses all understanding.

I am a priest. God proclaims it. I am called to declare the praises of him who brought me out of darkness into his marvelous light. My priestly service is not offering sacrifices but pointing over and over again to the unblemished Lamb who was sacrificed once for all. My service is standing in his undeserved love and inviting others to rejoice in the same. I belong to a family of believers who have lived this calling for generations.

Friend, Jesus has made you a part of his kingdom and a priest to serve God. Together we reflect his light in a world full of shadow, declaring his praises until we stand in the full brilliance of his presence forever. To him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer: Gracious Savior, thank you for making us your chosen people and calling us your own. Let your light guide our steps, and give us courage to proclaim your saving name. Use our voices and lives to reflect your glory until the day we stand in your eternal light. Amen.

Written by Elise Gross