One of the Scattered Saints

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”

1 Peter 1:1–2 

In today’s Scripture, Peter addresses his letter “to God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces.” The apostle sent out his encouragement to believers who had been dispersed throughout the Roman world by violent persecution. But you don’t have to face persecution to feel like one of the “scattered saints.”  

Maybe you find yourself in a small apartment in a big city. You feel like a stranger in your own community—perhaps even distanced from other believers. You’re out of the flow, jobless, single, maybe divorced, isolated. You may be in a lonely season right now, but read these verses again.

You have been chosen by the Father, set apart by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ. The entire Trinity—Father, Son, and Spirit—is actively involved in your life. And that, my friend, puts you in the mainstream of the main stream. You are deeply loved and treasured by your Creator. 

Please give me peripheral vision today, Lord, to notice sisters and brothers who feel isolated and lonely, out of touch and out of the flow of life. Give me the grace and wisdom to encourage someone who feels unimportant to You and others right now. This is a lie of the enemy, Lord, and I need Spirit-empowered words to defeat this hurt and deception.