1 Peter 2:9 – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

It took more than an hour, but I finally got the window shade brackets securely attached in just the right spot so that my son's room-darkening shade could be hung. It was summer vacation after all, and sometimes even 11-year-old boys want the luxury of sleeping in. The "wonderful light" filtering through and around his curtains was enough to call him out of the darkness of sleep much sooner than he would have liked.

Being prematurely awakened out of a cozy bed can be irritating, just as there is often a challenging burden associated with being called out of our spiritual darkness. We're to change our lives, walk a straight and narrow path, take up a cross, and die to our worldly selves. There is no favouritism in being called to be a person of faith. "Chosen" people from Abraham on down are certainly not selected for any intrinsic worthiness, but rather for the sake of the unchosen. The sufferings of the chosen people have been great but as recognized in the Book of Isaiah, the sufferings heal others.

Yet from whom much is expected, much is also given. We may declare the praises of the Heavenly Father who loves us and has prepared a place for us, both in this world and the next. We know that we are not mere biological accidents, but created by our loving God with a soul as unique as our fingerprints. With God's help we can overcome the temptations of temporary worldly comforts, live with an eternal perspective, and let the Light of the World shine through our lives.

Prayer Gracious God, help us to follow the Light which shines in the darkness, the Light you have placed in our hearts, the Light we are to reflect to others. Give us the courage to go on despite any danger, doubt or derision to become a living example of your love to those around us. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

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