"But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God's people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God's mercy." 1 Peter 2: 9-10
My family and I are watching an animated series called The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson. We're following along with the episodes about these three kiddos - Janner, Tink, and Leeli. In the pilot episode, they discover that they can sing and talk to sea dragons, and see into the future, when no one else can. Later on in the seasons, we discover these three are called the "Jewels of Anniera" and are actually heirs to a kingdom. Tink is the King.
In the latest episode, he basically says of his birthright, "I didn't ask for this. I didn't want this." But it didn't make it any less true or any less his identity. His not asking for or wanting it couldn't change it. He simply was King. Not unlike those kings or heirs of royal families, the only way he could change things was to not act like it; an abdication of spirit.
How many times do we as believers do this? The Word says we are royal priests. We can't change it. We simply are. It's our identity.
Unfortunately, I can identify with Tink. When my identity as a royal priest, a chosen person, a woman with God's armor on in a spiritual battle is something I want to scream "I didn't ask for this! I don't want it." But my screaming doesn't make it any less true or any less my identity.
May God forgive the times I have tried to take off the armor, be a civilian. I'm just not. And I'm grateful. May He help me to live in my identity as much as I can.
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