1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
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Light is illuminating, it makes things hidden in darkness visible. When Scripture is regarded as the “lamp to my feet” (Psalm 119:105) it is because of its divine power to make known to Christians what is of God and what is not, to help us discern what is keeping us in the dark. In our weakest moments or most consistent struggles, we can take comfort that by coming to the light of Scripture we can see all things rightly, and therefore know how to respond in a way that glorifies God. The way we see will determine the victory in our struggles.
As women, one of the major things that seems to rule our emotions, thoughts and actions is our view of self. Most of us who struggle with self image would describe it as an experience of having feelings of rejection, loneliness, self-hate and shame. We all crave to be content with our self but the path we take to find that fulfillment will determine if we are walking in the light of Scripture or in light of the world.
The bible teaches that confidence is found in Christ, not in our self (Rom. 5:1), that true contentment is learned and comes from depending on Christ (2 Cor. 2:10) and that a fulfilling life is present in one who hides in Christ's finished work, not in gaining self affirmation from the world (Col. 3, Rom. 5:2). Ultimately, self-forgetfulness for Christs sake produces hope and peace that is supernatural (Rom. 5:1-5).This kind of self-forgetfulness is not one that causes us to lose touch with self-care, but one that strengthens us because of who we are in Christ and gives us motivation to care for our whole selves the way that Christ cares for us.
The good news of Christ is our catalyst for this kind of humility. In light of the Gospel, a person struggling with a positive self-image may experience only a glimpse of the position of lowliness we have in the face of a holy God. We are the sinners that deserve not only to feel rejection in the degree that we have but far more. Yet in Christ, we have been made into a new creation (2 Corinth. 5:17) accepted and loved while we are still sinners (Rom. 5:8). Being Children of God, the Lord declares over us in 1 Peter 2:9 that we are a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God’s] own possession”, we are told that the image of the self is this, royalty because of Christ. The reality of who we are, is that we are Children of a king who adopts us into royalty. We are dearly loved (Eph. 5:1), a treasure that belongs to God forever (Psalm 48:14) and one that he delights in (Psalm 147:11). This is the hope from which to base our feelings of rejection from, this is the lense to see through as we are interpreting our self image.
0ur cure begins with knowing how much we need a savior and committing from there to look to the cross. In trusting in Christ’s finished work we recognize that though we deserve rejection forever, he lavishes, riches of acceptance forevermore (Rom. 5:2). This is the image that we can hold in our heart, nurture with the Word and remind ourselves in the midst of self-hate. When our self-image fails to meet the expectations of the world, ourselves, or our community we can reaffirm our hearts that our hope lies in who we are in Christ. Our identity in Christ as his children will not change even when we fail, “if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself” (1 Tim. 2:13). God is faithful to extend grace as we seek to glorify Him. Praise God for the rest we can find in His promises, and a hope that is steady and sure!
Know
Grounding & Meditation print out recommended
Meditate on Scripture----> Read each part of scripture from 1 Peter 2:9 as your breathe in and out, following the arrows with your finger for one minute increments (see fig. A).
1. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation
2. A people for his own possession,
3. That you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Figure A
do
Arugula and Mushroom with Gluten-Free Quiche
Ingredients:
Gluten-free almond meal crust
2 cups almond meal or almond flour (I had better results with almond meal)
3 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
⅓ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon water
Arugula, Cremini mushroom and goat cheese filling
3 cups baby arugula, roughly chopped
1 ½ cups cleaned and sliced Cremini mushrooms
Drizzle olive oil
6 large eggs
⅓ cup milk
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
5 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 10-inch cast iron skillet or 9″ pie pan with olive oil or cooking spray. In a mixing bowl, stir together the almond meal, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Pour in the olive oil and water and stir until the mixture is thoroughly combined.
Press the dough into your prepared skillet/pan until it is evenly dispersed across the bottom and at least 1 ¼ inch up the sides. Bake until the crust is lightly golden and firm to the touch, about 15 to 20 minutes.
In a large skillet over medium heat, warm enough olive oil to lightly coat the pan. Cook the mushrooms with a dash of salt, stirring often, until tender. Toss in the arugula and let it wilt, while stirring, about 30 seconds. Transfer the mixture to a plate to cool.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt and red pepper. Stir in the goat cheese and the slightly cooled mushroom and arugula mixture.
Once the crust is done baking, pour in the egg mixture and bake for 30 minutes, or until the center is firm to the touch and cooked through. Let the quiche cool for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing with a sharp knife. Serve immediately.
Recipe from------>. https://cookieandkate.com/2013/arugula-and-cremini-quiche-with-gluten-free-almond-meal-crust/
