January 2014 – Pr. Eric’s Letter

Dear people of God,

What does it mean to be described as God’s own people? We have had the opportunity to reflect on the other three descriptions in I Peter chapter 2; a “chosen race”, a “royal priesthood”, and a “holy nation”. This is the last of the four.

A few years ago someone told me they were going out with their “peeps”. I said, “Your what?”. He explained that he was getting together with his friends, his people, his peeps. Who are your peeps? These are the people you think about, care about, worry about. You help them and when you need help, they are the ones you turn to. We are God’s peeps. God thinks about us, worries about us, helps us. God enjoys doing things with us and uses us to do the things that need doing in the world.

The word “own” is a word of emphasis. It carries a sense of possessiveness, the sense that we have been claimed and are jealously guarded. God’s people make up the Church. If I was God I would not have claimed the same group as my people. Some yes, I can see it, but others, no way. Here is where faith comes in. God really does know best.

Who would have chosen two poor nobodies like Mary and Joseph to raise their only child? Who would have chosen Peter or Thomas or Matthew? And honestly, I’m mostly not at all sure why God claimed me. But, I feel honored, grateful. And challenged. We’ve been chosen for a reason, for something we can offer to the Kingdom.

That we are God’s people is the most important part of our identity. More important than what clan we belong to, than what positions we have, than what congregation we belong to, than what country we live in.  As you bump into God’s people here and there and especially other Circle of Faith people may 2014 be the year you see at least partly why God finds that other person so precious. As you do, everything else will become more clear as well.

Happy New Year!!! I pray it is a good one for you.

Pastor Eric