Peculiar

Did you know that we Christians are a peculiar people. I love that. I have a new friend whom I have been disciplining. She is a sensitive but, is just now starting to walk in that. She has told me that she found in the Bible were she is a peculiar person and that it helped her to have peace with who she is in God. So, I looked up the verse. Was I surprised. Peculiar people, in the King James, are all over the place. God recognizes us as a peculiar people.

1. Exodus 19:5
   Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
   
   
2. Deuteronomy 14:2
   For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.
   
   
3. Deuteronomy 26:18
   And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;
   
   
4. Psalm 135:4
   For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
   
   
5. Ecclesiastes 2:8
   I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
   
   
6. Titus 2:14
   Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
   
   
7. 1 Peter 2:9
   But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light

Other versions of the Bible say "His people", a people set on high, special people. But, I looked up the definition of peculiar. "Unusual". "strange", "wonderful", "Odd", and "unique".

This all got me thinking. I don't see that most Christian's would want to be considered "peculiar". Most want to fit into the main stream. To not be in the minority. But, I do see them hunger to be like the person in church who seems to be closer to God. Thus peculiar. A person whom does not fit into the main stream.

Peculiar does equals "set apart". I have never liked being told I was set apart. I fought being peculiar. I fought being in the minority. But, when I became a Christian there was no stopping this path.

When you read the verses above, it is as if God demands we be a peculiar people. If we are not, are we walking against His way. I believe we are. Peculiar should be a badge of honor to the Christian. Shouting to the world "I am peculiar and proud of it." But, no. We hide our faith, try to fit in and keep very quiet.

I have come to love the peculiar in me. Even though, most of the time, I still believe that I'm normal the rest of you are not. The more I embrace being "set apart" the more God uses me and the clearer I hear Him.

Are you "set apart"? Are you "peculiar"? Are you, in all sense of the word - A Christian? Or, if you truly search yourself, are you in fear of being "peculiar"?