*This article first appeared on The Round Farmhouse Ministries Facebook page and Instagram accounts on March 20, 2023. This year I have become a regular contributing author to the ministry, and this was my March submission.
“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.” 1 Peter 2:9 NIV
Basketballs, jerseys, shorts, high top tennis shoes, and water bottles-all the accessories needed to play basketball. Over the last four months, our family’s weekly rhythms included many hours of preparation for basketball games.
As our children grew in their individual skills, they also learned to play different positions on the court based on their teams’ needs. Sometimes they assisted in baskets, scored baskets, or defended the basketball hoop. No matter the position, they learned to contribute to their teams’ success. The numbers on the back of their jerseys weren’t as important as the team name on the front.
Being a part of the team also included coaches who shape a common team identity. This included players who:
- gave their best effort in offense and defense.
- worked together as a team to achieve their goals of scoring baskets.
- respected the officials regardless of whether they disagree with the call.
Knowing our identity as a team extends beyond youth athletics. When we think about our roles within our organizations, knowing our identity in Christ is an important part of being a part of our larger community, Team Jesus. Instead of an athletic coach determining our team identity, our Creator and Savior, formed our identities as believers in Christ.
Being a part of Team Jesus includes:
- Intentionally spending time in God’s word to prepare for existing (defense) and future (offense) challenges
- Working together with other believers to share the love of Jesus
- Respecting God’s plan for our lives even when we disagree with where He is leading us
The apostle Peter, close friend and follower of Jesus, teaches us about our new identity in 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.” The beautiful thing about our identity in Christ is that it applies to all Christians, no matter the call He places on our lives.
Unlike sport’s teams, we don’t have to earn our position in God’s family, because the Lord has already chosen us. We don’t have to strive to become God’s star players, because all believers are His special possessions. Our identity does not come from anything we have achieved; Jesus created our new identity when He died on the cross and conquered sin.
Through our new identity in Christ, the Lord positions us to praise Him. Because He is the one who has called us out of darkness and into the light of His forgiveness, we can’t help but to tell others about Him, so they can experience His forgiveness, too.
Friend, what could it be like if we realized that the Lord has positioned us exactly where He needs us to be, ready to praise Him? What might it look like if we embraced our God-ordained positions within our larger Christian community? Let’s be open to how the Lord has positioned us to praise Him today.
Kallie Dace
IG- @kallie.dace
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Experiencing God's Glory through Unique Children 