Read: 1 Peter 2:1–10
Like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5
As kids, when someone would share an accomplishment that was underwhelming to those listening, we would snidely respond, “So, what do you want, a medal or a monument?” That was a rather painless and even playful way of putting a boasting peer back in their place. Youthful boasting and retorts about medals and monuments hints at our very real human desire for legacy. We want to do something significant with our lives. We want to leave an impression on the world. We want to be remembered.
The first letter of Peter encourages us to believe that, as people of faith, we are indeed being built into a unique form of monument. The building project is not for our own glorification, however. We are living stones that are set into place to form an edifice that brings glory to God. Our lives have abundant significance when we allow ourselves to be used for that which God desires to construct. Our lives, when set in place with the saints from every generation, serve as a memorial—a testament to what God is able to do in the world. If God can take our frail and sinful nature and build us into something lasting and eternal, then there is no limit to the good work God can do in our lives and in our world. If there are medals and monuments to be offered in this life, they should be offered to God!
Think of all the monuments you have seen in your lifetime…How many were dedicated to God?
Lord, You do not need anything. You are complete. You are not impressed with the churches, temples, and holy shrines dedicated to You. What You value, according to scripture, are lives that are dedicated to You and ready for Your use in this world. I am ready to be used according to Your will. Take me. Set me in a place of service. I submit to Your building plan. I pray that I am suitable for Your designs. In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN.