1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
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.
His name may be unfamiliar now, but in 1971 it was a
household name among sports enthusiasts.
Vinko Bogataj is famous in ski jumper history. In 1971,
he took a head-over-heels tumble during a ski jump competition in Oberstdorf,
Germany. Unfortunately, Wide World of Sports was there, captured every moment
and then showed the fall at the beginning of their weekly show for years to
come.
I'm not the king of fall downs but I am of bumping my
toes. Weakness in my back causes my feet to run into things at times.
My bumps and stumbles aren't broadcast worldwide but
they're just as disturbing and painful for me to endure.
Peter was adept at fall downs. He fell away at Jesus'
arrest, fell back when asked if he was Jesus' follower and fell under when
trying to walk on water. But Jesus gave him second chances leading him to
write: "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" (I Peter 2:9).
God allows stumbles, bumps and falls without
disqualifying us from his service. We're His chosen children, and He won't
unchoose us when we stumble over poor decisions or bump into unfaithfulness.
God's requirement is holiness, but we're still his special possessions when we
occasionally act unholy. He does not broadcast our stumbles worldwide. He just
quietly picks us up and says, "Try again." Don't let the falls keep
you down.
Dear Lord, thank You for giving us mercy and other
chances when we fall short of Your standards. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
