Friday, Chris and I went on a grocery run. We pulled up to the Common Market to a line of about a dozen people waiting outside. The clerk explained that there were too many people inside and that he was limiting who could go in and go out. Chris and I decided to move on to another store. But I told those in line, “Not to worry. We are in it together. We can do this. We can get through it.” Many in the line responded with “Yes,” “That’s right,” “Yes we can,” and other agreements. The one lady in the back of the line, just rolled her eyes at us and half-smiled. Yes, these are dark days. And there will be more dark days ahead, but be encouraged. Recall who you are. Set your sights on your purpose for these times.
1 Peter 2:9 says, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” You are a chosen generation. Yes, you. No other generation has been through exactly what we are going through right now. You have been chosen to go through this. So many people have asked me why God is allowing this to happen. I sense that we often do no know the “why,” but we do know the “what.” In this case, and in any crisis, the “what” is our response; how we show our faith with action. You are the generation that has been chosen for a time such as this.
You are a royal priesthood, a holy nation. Yes, you and I are a priesthood, a holy nation. We are citizens of whatever country in which we were born. But as a Christ follower, we are also a priesthood of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. We are the ambassadors of the Most High. And we are not alone. There are many of us. In fact, an entire holy nation. We can make a difference by the prayers we pray, the example we set, and the deeds we do. Remember, we are not given a spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. It’s not just your pastor, or priest, or bishop or elder who is placed in this position of authority. You are. What is your good service in this high position? How is your representation?
You are to show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. The world is in darkness right now. People are looking for answers. They are looking for hope. As Christ said in the Sermon on the Mount, you are the light of the world, the salt of the earth. Be encouraged in Christ, that you may encourage others. Do not fear, that you might inspire courage in others. Walk in love, that you might hearten the loveless. Be of a sound mind that you say and do the wiser thing so as to not bring dishonor to your Lord and Savior. You have a prophetic destiny in a time such as this. It is your time to shine the light of Christ into a dark and dying world. Do so circumspectly and with joy!
