Though we have our faults, God chose us to live as his people.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

I’m not enamored with yucca plants. Brushing up against a yucca can be painful, and in my opinion they are not the most beautiful desert plant. However, in June yucca display a bit of beauty both at a distance and up close.

At a distance yucca dot the greenish brown prairie with white.

Up close yucca display a delicate reddish color on some of the newly formed flowers.

The community of God’s chosen people add beauty to the desert of life.

Paint Mines, Calhan, Colorado

“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 youout of darkness
into his marvelous light.”
1 Peter 2:9 English Standard Version

When thinking about the big picture, God has planted his church throughout the world. The baptized of Christ, the remnant of God, dwell even among people who are doing their best to eradicate the church. There are white dots of Christian community scattered throughout the world.

When taking a macro picture of the church, we realize that every gathered community of Christians adds a distinct beauty where they are planted. I know that the corner of Constitution and Murray in Colorado Springs would not be as beautiful if the church I serve, Holy Cross Lutheran, were not present.

Though we may act like prickly yucca, we, who know the power of forgiveness in Christ, “proclaim the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Copyright Douglas P Brauner