Called and chosen

God called you and chose you to be his. Do your best to live in a way that shows you really are God’s called and chosen people. If you do all this, you will never fall. And you will be given a very great welcome into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a kingdom that never ends. (2 Peter 1:10-11)

Called, not just chosen. Sometimes we forget we have more to do in this walk with Jesus than just attest to our Christianity. We are called to work alongside Jesus in being witnesses in this very harsh world. We are called to be bold in our faith, standing strong in the midst of things we don't understand fully. In being examples of his grace and love, we can change a very harsh world into a much kinder one. We can make a difference, but only when we are willing to be used by God wherever he places us. 

We must never forget that Christ is in control of our comings and goings, but we must also remember that he calls us to action. Witnesses do more than just show up. They get involved, go the extra mile, and give even when it doesn't seem like there is any difference being made. Grace demands actions of kindness even when faced with resistance. Those who merely 'show up' in their Christian walk are subject to believing things they shouldn't have believed, doing things they were told to avoid, and getting little done for the Kingdom of God as a result. 

From the beginning of time, God has used people to share his message. He has used people to touch the lives of other people - with physical hands and feet that are involved in his work. We might build houses for the poor, help out at the food bank, or even clothe the homeless. If it is done in the name of Christ, the work is far more valuable than if we just 'give our time' to 'do those tasks'. What message does your life portray? Is it one of trust and hope? Or is it one of fear and skepticism? If our devotion to God is active and growing, so will be our testimony. Our actions will be grace based, our words will be kind, and our trust will be evident. Our lives will be sacrificial, and our works will give evidence of God's goodness. Just saying....