PECULIAR PEOPLE

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

The definition of peculiar does not only mean “odd or different”, but it also can mean “special”. We also think of peculiar meaning set apart. Have you ever visited an art museum and come across a painting that you thought was peculiar? You stand there and think, “How did this ever get into this exhibit?” To us, it looks similar to child-like art next to the realism work of art. It makes no sense. I would imagine, though, that the artist who created the work knows exactly what is on the canvas and what each stroke of color represents. It is his/her masterpiece and, after all, it did make it into an art museum.

The King James rendition of 1 Peter 2:9 refers to Christians as peculiar people. We became different the day we recognized God’s merciful grace in us. It’s like we stepped out of the darkness into the light of Christ. We do feel different, but not like the high and mighty better-than-everybody-else kind of different, but a humbled different. One who has laid their pride on God’s altar, admitting that we had a need, and the only one to fill that need was Christ Jesus.

To the world, we may be peculiar, but our Creator artist knows exactly who we are in Christ Jesus. We are changed with the mighty stroke of His brush. The next time someone comes up to you and says, “You are peculiar,” you can say, “Well, yes I am.” We can show them the characteristics of Christ, His brush strokes of gentleness, kindness, compassion, and love. We are His masterpiece fit for The Kingdom of God. We are different because Christ made a difference in us.

Dear Jesus, Help me as I show others how to become a peculiar people, a royal priesthood, and a chosen generation though You and Your abundant life. Amen.