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4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy

 

As I read Peter’s letter, I am again reminded we are chosen by God to be a living stone and how important it is that I have asked God to come into my heart and make it his home. In good times and in strife, Jesus will remain with me through it all.

These letters from Peter are being written to the early Christians who must have been ill-treated, disparaged and marginalized because of their faith when choosing to be a follower and belong to Jesus. In nonbeliever’s eyes they were nobodies… but to God’s eyes they were his royal family and where they belonged.

As humans we all long to “belong” We seek to understand who we are and seek approval in too many ways: through the eyes of others, in terms of our career, possessions, traditions, family or nation. These aspects can cloud our thinking and behavior. As we all live our lives, we must always go back to our undeserved promise that I am a Child of God and will continue to live as Jesus has asked and belong to Jesus.

We pray that our eyes will always be on you Jesus and through our actions, others will want to “belong” to you.

Linda Saddler

sadd4@aol.com