Be Holy

1 Peter 1:15,16 Be holy in everything you do, just as God is holy. He is the one who chose you. In the Scriptures God says, “Be holy, because I am holy.”

I marvel at the amazing things that elite athletes are able to achieve … yes, no doubt through a natural gifting, but also by incredible dedication and sheer hard work.

The first human being to have broken the four-minute mile was Roger Bannister. On May 6, 1954, the twenty-five-year-old Oxford University medical student arrived at the track for an annual race meet.

Conditions were far from ideal. A strong crosswind blew across the track as the mile race was set to begin. The starter fired his gun and three minutes, fifty-nine point four seconds later, Bannister crossed the finish line. The crowd erupted as his time was announced. A very special man, a very special moment.

I wonder if you’ve ever thought of yourself as a very special person, destined for a good many special moments. Possibly not. Would it surprise you to know though, that that’s exactly how God sees you? Incredibly special, incredibly loved, set aside for a special purpose.

And yet, so often we blot our copybook and miss out on God’s plans. Would Bannister ever have cracked the four-minute mile by sitting in the pub slurping beer instead of getting out on the track and training?

That’s why God has this to say:

1 Peter 1:15,16 Be holy in everything you do, just as God is holy. He is the one who chose you. In the Scriptures God says, “Be holy, because I am holy.”

It’s one thing to be special in God’s eyes. It’s another thing entirely to live that out. Be holy, for the Lord your God is holy.

That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.