You Are Chosen – Reflections on Our Unique Callings – August 31, 2021

You Are Chosen

by Paula Sulzle

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 (1 Peter 2:9-10).

Likely we all know what it feels like not to be chosen—for the team, for the girls’ night out, for the college, for the job, or maybe even for the engagement ring. When we’re not chosen, we feel like something is wrong with us. What could I have done differently? How could I be more qualified?

When God first looked at us, there was something wrong with us: sin. Our text even tells us we were in darkness—the dark depths of sin, bound for eternal punishment in hell. My whole being, your whole being, was hostile toward God and most certainly not qualified to be on his team or part of his family. Yet God still chose us. He chose you! And not only did he choose us, but he also gave us the task to represent him to those around us.

What a journey these past 12 weeks have been with you! We have learned that men and women have equal status before God and unique callings for their work on earth. We have learned how God uses his special design for men and women to be a blessing. By creating man and woman, God showed us already at the beginning of creation that each was needed to complete the other. We know that he meant this for our good because after he made man and woman, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). We can praise God that he has the best in mind for us. Because he wills it, we want to faithfully fulfill the duties of our unique callings.

We can praise God that he has the best in mind for us. Because he wills it, we want to faithfully fulfill the duties of our unique callings. That means we will walk out of step with the world, and we might suffer for it.

That means we will walk out of step with the world, and we might suffer for it. At best, others might think we are old-fashioned or an out-of-touch church body; at worst, we’re accused of being discriminatory towards women or having an unloving God who imposes restrictive commands on us. Yet we can be confident that God’s design is meant to be a blessing to us, and by keeping this as our firm belief, we are walking in step with our Lord. The way we live is a reflection of our Savior. Filled with the Spirit, we now walk as children of the light and shine that light to those on our path.

Will we always get it right here? No. At times, we wrestle with what submission means for our lives and how we should carry out our callings. We strive to apply God’s design correctly, but we won’t always achieve that goal. We talk positively about the callings for men and women, yet at times we bristle as we make a meager attempt to carry out those roles in a world that doesn’t believe in them. When our thoughts, words, or actions do not match our understanding of God’s Word, we ask for God’s forgiveness and know that he gives it—every time.

When our thoughts, words, or actions do not match our understanding of God’s Word, we ask for God’s forgiveness and know that he gives it—every time. Because of God’s forgiveness, we then extend grace to others.

Because of God’s forgiveness, we then extend grace to others. Taking words and actions in the kindest possible way, we seek to understand our brothers and sisters when they strive to apply a principle that has many ways in which to live it out.

When we take to heart again the words of Peter, we continue to proclaim God’s love and his desire to bless us.

You are:
A chosen people.
A royal priesthood.
A holy nation.
God’s special possession.

Each of you. Man and woman. Working together to proclaim God’s wonderful news of hope and salvation.

For Further Reflection

Meditate on or write about how the words of 1 Peter 2:9-10 change the way you live and act towards others.

Closing Prayer

O God, my Redeemer, even though I was unworthy, you still chose me. Thank you for making me part of your family, one of your very own. Guard my heart from the temptation to use my status selfishly. Create in me a clean heart and send your Holy Spirit to give me power to proclaim your Word to an unbelieving world. Cause men and women to work together for the benefit of each other, the Church, and society. Be with us as we look to your Word for the truth to share with others. Amen.