One overarching theme in the Bible that greatly encourages me is how the Lord used flawed individuals to carry out His kingdom’s purposes. This is something that gives me great hope but it’s not something I’ve always appreciated.

As a young boy attending Sunday school, I carried a pretentious attitude towards Peter. I struggled to understand his denial of Christ (Mark 14:66-72). I was raised in a body of believers who encouraged us to stand firm in our faith and a household with parents who reinforced it. In my young mind, he simply sold out his best friend. Something I felt I was not capable of.

At 16, I worked at a fast food chain called Arby’s. I was the youngest on staff. There was one staff member I liked who was a few years older. I thought he was “cool.” During the weekends, things would often get slow. One afternoon, the guy that I liked started talking about God to a group of us that had formed. His spiel was something along the lines of this “What is the deal with people and their belief in a god? We live in such an awful world, either there is no god or god is evil, either way, religious people are ignorant, especially Christians.”

In a moment I’ll never forget he turned to me and asked “What about you? Do you believe in God?” My brain couldn’t even process the question fully before my lips said “No.”

My headset beeped acting as my metaphorical rooster. We had a customer at the drive-through. I ran to the register and took the window order through my headset with my voice shaking. My thoughts ran wild. The thought of “I just sold out my best friend” was in my brain along with Matthew 10:33 “But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven”.

I bagged the lunch order with what felt like a bowling ball in my stomach. As the drive-through windows shut I felt great conviction. Removing my headset I marched back to the same circle I had been part of moments ago. I confessed my lie and professed my relationship with Jesus to everyone there in great detail to make sure I was not leaving any doubt.

It’s possible that guy doesn’t remember the encounter we had that afternoon but it changed me forever. I was overcome with humility and confronted with the very real reality of the battle I had with my flesh.

The theme for DIF (Da Nang International Fellowship) this year Is “Chosen.” Peter was chosen. He was a completely flawed individual but he was chosen. My personal experience humbled me and helped me to identify my pride. The world tells us that being Chosen means we have to meet a specific standard or criteria. Our selection is based on what we do. When I see the word Chosen I can’t help but think of the Chooser.

We are chosen not because of who we are or what we’ve done but we are chosen because of who our Chooser is! This is wonderful news. This is amazing grace! One of my favourite moments in all of scripture is in John 21:15-17. Jesus gives Peter three opportunities to profess his love for Him that mirror his previous denials. It’s a beautiful moment that displays Jesus’ redemptive nature, Grace, and Love for us in all of our flaws. Jesus solidified us as His chosen people on that cross. His death paid for our transgressions and His blood covers our iniquities.

Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:9 “But 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.”

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your gift of Grace. Lord, we are flawed but You are perfect. Thank You that through our belief in You, Your Spirit is at work within us aiding us to be transformed into Your image. Praise be to You Lord for choosing us and that because of Your perfection, we can be called sons and daughters. Lord, I pray for continued strength and endurance by Your Spirit so that we can be a people that walk in boldness and righteousness.

In Jesus name,
Amen.