Matthew 5:3 says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. This verse is the prerequisite for coming to Jesus. Some translations refer to “poor in spirit”, as coming to the end of your rope or being spiritually bankrupt. I call it “Broken”. When we realize we are “Broken” and we realize we can go no further, we realize how much we need Jesus. And in that “Brokenness”, we turn to Jesus and He is there to save us. The world says hide your “Brokenness”, be ashamed of your “Brokenness”, don’t tell anyone about your “Brokenness”. Jesus says, “There is beauty in your Brokenness”. He says, “Come home and come as you are”.

The “Chosen” are not black or white or red or yellow or brown. The “Chosen” are new people from all the peoples—all the colors and cultures—who are now aliens and strangers in the world. God chose you. Not because of your race—or for any other qualification—God chose you. And who are we? We are “Chosen”. I don’t know why we’re “Chosen”. It was nothing in you and I of value above other humans. We did not earn it or deserve it. So all we can do is humbly bow and accept it and long to be faithful to its purpose. We in Christ are “Chosen”.

Identity has two definitions. The world says you are your status and career and bank account and the car you drive and your weight and 401K. The world slaps labels on you, only to leave you lacking satisfaction and empty. The identity we chase in the world only leads to destruction. Jesus says, when you surrender and genuinely follow Him, you are His. Following Jesus changes your identity. From lost to chosen. From a citizen of this world to a citizen of the Kingdom. From cursed to seen as holy. Jesus raises you from the dead to a life of abundance and purpose. He calls you an ambassador and bold proclaimer of His glory.