November 12

Day 243: Dispersed Exiles

A full grasp of reality is difficult for all of us. In differing measures. Because of the times in which we are living, we're each trying to figure out how to survive, let alone thrive.

Many around us struggle with the dissonance of present circumstances bashing into "the way things are supposed to be." If we hold on to former predictabilities as our reality, we then will be happy to continue sending faxes to people who continue to buy cassettes.

Because to many of us, the way things are supposed to be is indistinguishable from the way things used to be. We remember happier times, and pine away to return to those happier times.

Church people are particularly prone to this. We fondly remember times past, and try to hold on to that, insisting on that with cold dead fingers. But to be nimble enough to navigate  the present reality, we have to be nimble enough to navigate change.

Fact is, there are always two realities. The real reality that really exists. And the reality we each choose to hang on to. Because we like our own reality so much better. These two realities are rarely one and the same.

As nonsensical as it may seem, it's like trying to chart a course to drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks...using a map of Alaska made in the 1700's. Or if you saw me around town wearing my college letterman's jacket.

The apostle Peter (he of the unrefined writing skills, but empowered by the Holy Spirit) wrote the first of his letters to a large audience. He addresses this letter to "those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion."

In Peter's mind, he was and they were elect, chosen. They were chosen by God to be God's, "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ." Cause and effect.

This forms part of their reality, because it is a statement of their shared identity. Circumstances change, but a Christian's identity does not. Our identity is a continuing reality, whether we realize it or not. But he continues. Peter also calls them "exiles of the Dispersion."

This had all happened in their collective lifetimes. The Roman persecution of the Jews had become so fierce it had driven large numbers of people away from Israel. So much so historians (even Peter) refer to the Dispersion, this massive migration with a capital "D."

Therefore, having been dispersed (by the Romans, but really by God) all around the known world, they are now exiles. First generation exiles. Exiled away from their homeland, and every predictable thing they had valued and expected. Like how criminals and enemies of the state were exiled.

Added to that, part of their new reality also included persecution of the Christians from the Jews in their new homeland/s. It would've been easy for you or me, were we in that time in history, to not like much of that time in history at all.

Peter is living his life as a dispersed exile himself. In writing to his readers, he completely identifies with them, and they with him. Change has happened, is happening, and they have to find a way to accept and navigate all of it.

So he continues in his letter to describe for them other descriptors of their identity. He calls them a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession.

Whether they're still in their home church in Jerusalem, or they are living as political aliens in a foreign land, they remain who they are. God's people, citizens of God's Kingdom.

For a purpose. God dispersed them to the nations so they could better fulfill their purpose - "that [they] may proclaim the excellencies of him who called [them, and us] out of darkness into His marvelous light."

We can be depressed, or angry, or arrogant know-it-all's, or pridefully looking back on the days when "things were the way they're supposed to be."

Or we can rest in our gospel identity. Our identity given us by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. Our identity that is not subject to location or circumstance. Or unfathomable changes.

A sure and unchangeable identity. Like dispersed exiles, still living out our purpose, even when everything else around us seems to be riding an endless crazy train.

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church Juneau