“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:”
1 Peter 2:9 KJV
In my church growing up, school holidays didn’t just mean no homework, they meant prayer and fasting. If you’ve read our previous posts, you’ve heard about our Sunday school leader who ran a tight ship. Back then, his strictness felt like too much, but God was using him to show us something we couldn’t yet name: integrity. I remember the sharp look he’d give us if we played during the sermons, often leading to a private lesson outside. He expected us to be accountable, to show up, and to understand that loving Jesus comes with a specific way of living. I am forever thankful that he followed God’s nudge to model that life for us so early on. In this post, we’re looking at what it means to be truly different—even strange—by the world’s standards. Peter calls us a peculiar people, which can be hard to wrap our heads around in a society that values fitting in. But Jesus explained our true status in John 17:16 when He prayed, ‘They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. While we live and work here, this isn’t our permanent address; our true home is in the Kingdom of God. Because we are just passing through, we can’t afford to live just any way. Our homeland has set a standard for us: a life of excellence that mirrors Jesus Himself. You might not feel excellent right now, but remember; the seed of that greatness is already planted deep within you. Step into that Kingdom consciousness. Embrace the fact that you are called to be different. When you shift your mindset to realize you are truly peculiar, your daily life will start to reflect that divine excellence.
When Elijah saw the nation turning to Baal, he didn’t just complain, he issued a decree. He declared there would be no rain, and while people likely brushed him off at first, the dry earth soon proved them wrong. They might have called it magic, but the truth was simpler: Elijah was a representative of Heaven. He spoke God’s heart, and the Father backed him up. I’m so inspired by his unshakable confidence. After God hid him away, he didn’t hesitate when it was time to reappear. He stood tall and told Obadiah, “Go, tell your lord, “Elijah is here.” He knew exactly who he was and Whose authority he carried. “When Ahab saw him, he exclaimed, “So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?”” 1 Kings 18:17 NLT. Elijah knew that being peculiar meant being incomparable. When Ahab tried to blame him for the nation’s problems, Elijah didn’t back down. Instead, he raised the stakes. By demanding that all 850 false prophets gather at Mount Carmel, he was setting the stage to show that God cannot be compared to any idol. He wanted them to see that when you serve the Living God, you don’t just fit in with other religions; you stand completely apart. The prophets of Baal showed up in force, but Elijah wasn’t intimidated by the crowd. He laid down the ultimate challenge: two bulls, two altars, but zero matches. He told them, ‘You call on your god, and I will call on mine. The God who answers by fire—He is the true God.’ The prophets spent hours screaming, dancing, and pleading from morning until noon, but the silence was deafening. No voice, no answer, and certainly no fire.
I love that Elijah’s first move was to repair what was broken. After soaking the altar , he called on his Master. He wasn’t showing off; he was demonstrating his accountability to the King. God backed His representative instantly, sending fire that left the people in awe. Yet, Elijah remained in that peculiar consciousness; he didn’t stop at the fire. He announced a heavy rain before a single cloud appeared. Elijah couldn’t just sit by and watch his people lose their way. He knew he was called to be peculiar and as he stepped out to reclaim the nation for God, he found that the Lord was right there beside him. Refuse to let the pressure to be normal drown out the reason for your existence. You weren’t born into your family, community, or nation by accident. God placed you there as His representative because there is something only you can do in His name. When a peculiar person functions in their divine purpose, they become a mirror reflecting the glory of God. It’s not about personal fame; it’s about ensuring that every work we do and every victory we win brings honor and praise back to our Maker. When we live with Kingdom excellence, the world doesn’t just see us, they see the King we represent.
As peculiar people our mandate is clear: everything we do should proclaim the excellencies of the One who called us out of darkness. If you’ve stumbled or feel like you’ve failed, I’m writing this to remind you that; it is time to rise. Your story isn’t over; it continues the moment you choose to show forth the Father’s glory again. Please get up and don’t look back. Fix your gaze on the One who called you and let Him guide your steps back to His perfect will. From the woman with the alabaster jar to Zacchaeus climbing a tree, we see that no situation is too messy for Our Master. He knew your not-so-good days were coming before He even made you, and He called you anyway. Elijah’s season of hiding eventually had to end. When the time comes to show forth our Father’s excellencies, we have to step out. Even King Ahab, who had spent years hunting him, was so captivated by the authority Elijah carried that he forgot his death threats and simply listened. Remember: you’ve been set apart not for your own comfort, but for the Kingdom’s advancement. Start living like a beneficiary of Heaven . Let God’s Word direct your path and allow the Holy Spirit to be your Teacher in this season. Take your position as a peculiar people.
Precious Holy Spirit, thank you for crowning us with Your presence and making us holy and acceptable before our Father. What a profound honour it is to be taught by You and made whole in Your love. I join my faith with everyone reading this post today. Together, we declare that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a peculiar people. May we never forget that our lives—in our homes, our businesses, and our daily work—are meant to be a living proclamation of Your praise. For those feeling discouraged today, Lord, we lift them up. Let Your light break through their darkness and remind them of who they truly are. In jesus name; amen!!!