Chosen

I 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.

That was the verse for our SHIFT Student Ministry Summer Camp. The theme was "Chosen". It evolved from a conversation with a young lady who grew up in our church. Now in her young adult life, she serves in student ministry. When she entered college she had one career choice in mind. However, it appeared she was not progressing in that area at all. She was starting to feel weary, unclear of the direction she was to take. With the turn of events in her life it was easy to come to the conclusion that the door to that career was closing. She left the college she was attending and returned to South Florida.

We were happy to have her home and encouraged her to seek God as to the career choice He had for her. She is not a person who gives up easily. She has a personality that brings so much joy in a room. She is creative and loves to serve people. She began working for an Optometrist and enrolled in a local college. One day while attending a lecture the Lord began to speak clearly to her. He confirmed what she had been chosen to do for His glory. He made His path clear to her. What had appeared like failure or a sense of being unsure in the beginning of her college life was a catalyst used by God to guide her and reveal His will.

As she began to share her story she suggested to my husband, our Pastor, the possibility of our theme for summer camp being "Chosen". She said, “this generation needs to know they have purpose; that they are chosen by God. When things get tough, when life feels uncertain we can stand on the truth of God's word.”

Our youth need to know they have been called out of the darkness of this world into the wonderful light of Jesus Christ. They are indeed a royal priesthood and they belong to God. My husband took her suggestion, and I must tell you the Lord spoke so clearly to our youth. Lives were surrendered and changed.

This message was not only for the youth, it was for me as well. I too needed to be reminded I belong to a royal priesthood, a holy nation. I belong to God. I must rise up and take my place in the full assurance that He has called me and equipped me to do His will. The world is dark and that should not surprise us, but we, His people, bring the light and the darkness has to dispel. Do not shrink back, do not become lax, do not neglect your calling. Not only do the youth have a responsibility, but so do “you”.

The theme song for camp was Chris Tomlin's "Chosen".

“We are a chosen generation, rise up holy nation. God we live for you. You have called us out of darkness, into life so glorious God we live for you. We run with passion for your name we run. Freedom, you've broken every chain we run. Our God will not be moved. Our God will never be shaken. We run to you, we run. Cuz you are everything, more than all we need, God we live for you, God we live for you. I found this world to be not enough for me, God we live for you, God we live for you.”

Remember, you are chosen, so rise up and live for Him.