Praying To Live As" Called-Out" People

Called Out People

From ancient times God has called out a People. All the way back to the time when God‘s people were being led by Joshua to settle in the land God had given them, his instructions to them were:

So be very courageous and steadfast to keep and do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning not aside from it to the right hand or the left; that you may not mix with these nations that remain among you, or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them.  But cling to the Lord your God as you have done to this day. Joshua 23:6-8

Since sin and brokenness entered our world there has never been a time when people didn’t need to be called out from what the environment around them looks like. It’s pretty clear that we live in a broken world. We live in a time and in cultures and political climates that are polluted with sin and all of its negative effects.

God longs for us to be people who are alive and fresh and good. He calls us to be his people, distinctive by the fact that we have life in us rather than death, truth that we are basing our values and behaviours on rather than convenient changing social mores.

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are a royal priest, 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 the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

If we live as God intends, then we will look different to most of the people and the culture around us. Our thinking, our principles, our values, our way of living from day today will be shaped by God’s kindness and compassion rather than by self-absorption, anger, or a need for power and pleasure.  We desperately need God’s help if we are to be able to do this successfully, don’t you think?

Heavenly Father, help us today to be willing to be called out people who don’t simply mix with the culture around us. It is so easy to be distracted by many things both internally and around us. Help us to pause and hear your heart, and ask you what your plans are for us in this day, and then set ourselves to giving priority to those values and activities.

We want to hear and live what you meant when you told us in your word:

Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God‘s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:1

All we can say is, help us today.  We choose to let You transform us and change the way we think and act.  Amen