“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“What’s your favorite color?” My first grade teacher bent down to my level.
“I love Kelly green and my favorite animal is the hippopotamus.” I confidently answered back, ready for the next question. I loved inquiring minds; it gave me a platform for my big mouth.
“Oh my. Julia certainly is a little character.” She smiled as she patted my head and complimented my unique selections. I am quite positive it was not the answer she had predicted. Most of my female classmates were akin to pink and purple.
After my first trip to the zoo, I quickly realized that my beloved hippopotamus looked nothing like the cute character in my favorite game, The Hungry Hippo. So, my adoration for the rough, large and un-cuddly creature was replaced by a new passion for mice and baby bunnies.
I have always been an odd child, the black sheep of my family and a misfit that never quite fit in with any crowd. In spite of the complications this caused, I never veered too far off the path of my strange ways. I was pretty committed to being who I was.
When I read 1 Peter 2:9 my heart leaps with joy. According to God’s word, being peculiar was a trait that marked and separated His children from the rest of the world.
The people who choose to love God and to serve Him with all their hearts will always be an odd bunch. To a world that is accustomed to self-serving and self-gratification, thinking of God and others before oneself is just insane.
To a world that boarders on insanity, I am thankful that I don’t fit in, and pray to God I never will.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your encouragement. Your word is not only a book of life instructions, but is also a small glimpse into the heart of God.
It warms my heart that you are the kind of God that does not see anything in the lives of your children as a “little” thing.
For years, I felt frustrated that the world did not understand a misfit like myself, and now I walk away with the confidence that most of the world will never “get” it, or me and that is okay.
This no longer makes me sad for myself, but now saddens me for the world. Lord, have mercy on the ones who seem to have it all, who “fit” into a world that will never fill their heart like you want to.
Lord, make the people, who are comfortable without you, yearn for you and your presence. There is no greater acceptance than the one that you give. I pray to all the hurting hearts that have never reached out to you before, to give up the fight and just let go. In Jesus’ precious name, make everyone who does not have you in their life so uncomfortable that they start pursing you with the same passion that you have pursued them. Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: 1 Peter 2:9
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan