Nothing to Something

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. (I Peter 1:9-10)

Do we really understand that whatever we have is given to us by God? We might be rich or successful, but those riches and all that success comes from God enabling us to gain the riches and accomplish the tasks that have made us successful. It is quite easy to get a bit too prideful about what we have or what we have gained, but we must never cease to give God the glory, remembering to use what we have been given for Him. All we are, all we own, all we can do is a result of his goodness and grace in our lives.

We are chosen to be a holy people - God's hands and feet to a hurting world. Now more than ever, we need God's protection over our country, his guidance over our leadership, and his will to reign supreme. We might think we know what God is about to do, but we can never 'out-think' or 'out-guess' God's plans. As we consider all we have been given, we must also consider carefully how it is God wants us to put those things and talents to use for him.

From nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. Those words really tell the story of our lives. We might have been labeled as 'something' in this world, but without Christ in our lives the 'something' is really nothing. We can be at the highest position, given the highest of power on this earth, and still be nothing without God at the center of our lives. God's children are called (purposed) to be his instruments, to do his work and to speak out for him. We have been given much, but of those who have received much, much is required!

God's goodness and grace aren't meant to be hoarded or touted as something that gives us 'better standing'. In fact, it should humble us as we consider how much we have been given (entrusted with), and how it is we can put that to use to share the good news of grace in this world. We are called, chosen, and equipped. We didn't accomplish grace on our own - it was freely given! Just sayin!