An Annual Conference Spiritual Preparation Post
By Rev. Misty Howick
Colossians 3:12 (NIV): Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Food for thought:
What does it mean that God chooses people?
What does it mean to be chosen?
Does it remind us of being chosen to be on someone’s team in sports?
Does it remind us of being chosen as someone’s life partner?
Maybe it reminds us of a reality T.V. show like the Bachelor or Bachelorette; “I choose you.”
This is not the same way that God chooses people. The writer of the letter in Colossians is writing to a community of believers and reminds them that they are God’s chosen people. God chooses representatives. As a community of believers we need to be reminded that we too are God’s chosen people. We are chosen to be God’s representatives. We are worthy and able to carry some of God’s load. It means that God loves us and because God loves us, we know how important love is and how important it is to love others. God did not choose us just to say God has chosen someone. God chose us to act in the world on God’s behalf.
What is the difference between loved, dearly loved, and beloved?
Beloved sounds like “Be Loved.” Two words, one is about existence, “To be or not to be.” The other is a complicated word, “to be cherished,” “to be embraced,” “to be accepted as you are.” We exist and we are loved. In the case of the New International Version, we are “dearly loved.”
As we discover more and more of what God is calling us to do as God’s chosen people, as God’s representatives, let us pray for instruction and acceptance.
Holy and Loving God,
It gives us great joy to know that we are your Chosen People. Instead of letting our egos and pride soak in these words, we will remember to move to action. You have chosen us, not to make us feel good, but trusting in us to do the work of loving all of humanity and creation. As we are loved by you, we must show and act in that love in all that we do. We turn to you with open ears and an open heart ready to act in loving ways at your instruction. Speak to us now in new ways that we will put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. In the name of the one who has chosen us, in whom we trust and follow all the days of our lives, we pray. Amen.
Litany
Leader: You have called your people “chosen.”
People: Are we included? Can we call ourselves part of your “Chosen People?”
Leader: You call your people “Beloved.”
People: Does that mean that we are your “Beloved” too?
Leader: Yes! God calls all of us who would follow God’s ways and instructions “Beloved, Loved, Dearly Loved.”
People: What then must we do?
Leader: We should take on the responsibilities of God’s Chosen People.
All: Let us show love to others as God loves us, let us “clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Will will show the world God’s love. Amen.
Editor’s Note:
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