Truly Blessed

How many times a day do we use the word blessed? And how many times do we truly understand the meaning? Yes, it is a church word. Sure, it is somewhat synonymous to the word good. The legitimate dictionary definition of the word is this, "blissfully happy or contented." Growing up as a minister's kid, I have heard and used this word countless times, never fully understanding what it truly means.

Whoa.

Check out 1 Peter 1:1-2.

"To God's elect..." What does elect mean? "to pick out, choose"

"Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father"

foreknowledge? "knowledge of something before it exists or happens"

Shut. Up.

Y'all. Who am I that God thought of me BEFORE I WAS EVER CREATED and chose me to be a part of His family?!

"For it is by grace you hae been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Eph. 2:8-9.

Salvation is a gift. Do you choose a gift or receive a gift?

"Yet, befoe the twins were bon or had done anything good or bad - in order that God's purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls - she was told, 'The older will serve the younger.'" Rom 9:11-12.

I could have just as easily not been chosen. Think about it. No matter how much I think life sucks or how much I feel persecuted as a Christian...suck it up! I could be headed to hell, but the great I Am CHOSE ME and gave me life, victory, hope, happiness, joy..............

So, the term Christian should be taken much more seriously. Now, we use it like we use the word human. Being a Christian, bearing that name, is such a big deal! It is the name of Christ on us. Because of the high honor that comes with bearing the name Christian, I should seriously strive to act like one. Who am I to receive this precious gift and not respect it? It would be like if my future husband, whoever it may be, were to propose to me, give me the ring, and I not take care of it. Obviously, a wedding ring is nowhere close to how important salvation is, but it was the best analogy I could come up with. As a Christian, I am called to take up my cross and follow Him (Mark 8). This doesn't mean to throw on my cross necklace before I peace out of my apartment. Y'all, the cross was a place of death and shame, not just difficulty and discomfort. By taking up your cross, you will lose things and people will make fun of you. Don't ask for lighter crosses; ask for stronger backs. We could not have been elected. Cross compared to hell doesn't seem so bad anymore. Any pride I had about the great life I have lived or how obedient and faithful I was during camp this summer...throw it out the window! There is nothing I did to deserve the wonderful, priceless, breathtaking gift of salvation. HE CHOSE ME BEFORE I WAS BORN!! What the junk?!

"However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name." 1 Peter 4:16