Who Do You Think Your Are?

^“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 NIV

“If you’re always trying to be normal, you’ll never know how amazing you can be.” Maya Angelou

Really, who do you think you are? We Black Sheep, Scapegoats and other nefarious types shudder when asked that question. Answers like: “The family problem.” “Loser.” “Alcoholic.” “Addict.” And more, which have corrupted our true identity with and in God. But no more!

Sometimes when asked this question, I respond, “Mom, widow, writer, marketing person, manager, animal-lover.” Mostly, they’re things that I do. Not who I am. How do you respond?

When I became a Christian, I inherited so much more– a richer identity immediately, though hard to grasp. We are God’s special possession. Normal we ain’t. But our new normal is so, so much better! And not for just the afterlife, but for now! Answering who do I think I am by saying, “A royal priest, God’s special possession” does not cut it and may have me ending up in a mental health clinic, even though it’s true. God has taught me and continues to demonstrate my identity with the Spirit’s tools such as:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. He brings things to remembrance. No matter my career, role as a parent or volunteer work, if I don’t have and share the evidence, tools of the Spirit, I am nothing. And the funny thing is the more I use these tools, the more it comes back to me. The reward is peace and joy. We have Divine Participation.

Musings

No matter how young or old, no matter our career or none, no matter if we have family, no matter our status, habits, possessions, or money, I am and you are royalty, God’s special possession. We’re included! If I being a human treasure my special possessions, how much more care does God give? Oh yeah, He gave us his Son. We are in a Divine Partnership.

Prayer

Thank you, Father for cherishing me, making me your special possession. With grace, I will scatter love, joy, peace patience and more when asked, “Who do you think you are?”

Amen.