by Marilyn Ehle
“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
For many years we lived in a major capital city with embassies from around the world. Frequently country leaders, presidents, prime ministers or kings, would visit their embassies and the visit was almost always accompanied by a fair amount of pomp, circumstance and security. We became accustomed to impatiently waiting at intersections while police cars whizzed by with lights flashing and sirens blaring. Then would come a long black limousines, usually with darkened windows and we knew that within its doors sat the honored leader of her or his country. Following the limousine would be several smaller black cars filled with security personnel.
After a few years we Americans began to chuckle disrespectfully at these men charged with protecting their president. They were certainly serious about their responsibility, devoted to their leader and extremely well trained. But if part of their job was to appear inconspicuous in an effort to blend into the crowds and thus keep their eyes peeled for potential trouble, they failed miserably.
These dedicated men obviously all bought their ill-fitting black suits from the same discount clothing store. Their shirts were white and their ties dark. Their haircuts were militarily precise. They almost always wore black sunglasses. They never smiled. Their very presence warned us to keep away.
In a sense, we are “secret service” Christians. To be sure, our Leader does not need protection, but we are His representatives. I wonder if people see us as we saw those security personnel. Do we appear so “different” that onlookers shy away from relating to us? Do we amuse our neighbors instead of attract them? While never losing our distinctive calling as Christ-followers, we should be able to “infiltrate” the crowds in our efforts to be the aroma of our Savior.
I unfortunately grew up hearing only one version of the verse printed above. In that translation, the words “God’s special (or unique) possession” are translated “peculiar people.” I thought Christian were to be odd. It is no wonder that I had little opportunity to declare His praises to my friends!
Father, teach me more about being the kind of Christian who honors you by my attitude and actions, one to whom hungry people are drawn as they were to Jesus’ obvious love and compassion.
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