"We are Shiny, Not Shabby"

We Are Shiny, Not Shabby

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession. . . . (1 Peter 2:9)

We are often our own worst critics. I find that some of my inner thoughts tend to be negative about myself. “Jason, what were you thinking when making that decision?” or “how did you not see that coming.” And so on.

The truth is, we have good reasons for being hard on ourselves. We often miss the mark. Sometimes daily.

That’s why we need to go to the Bible and remind ourselves what God thinks of us. This beautiful text in 1 Peter helps us see how blessed and loved we are. We are chosen by God to become part of his family. This means we are royalty. We are princesses and princes in the kingdom of God, the Lord of heaven and earth. 

We are also a priesthood, meaning we are made holy, pure, and dedicated to the One who is totally holy and pure. And we are called to praise this amazing God who has called us “out of darkness and into his wonderful light.”

Wow! We are not total failures! No other creatures in the universe have more going for them than we do. Oh, sure, we don’t see the final product yet. But what Peter describes is the reality that God sees, and this is the reality we need to see.

When you are tempted to be negative, try talking to yourself this way: “Yes, I messed up. But I am chosen by God to be part of his family—holy, royal, and called to serve the King of heaven and earth faithfully.” This is how God sees you.