Extreme Joy through Extreme Change

1 Peter 1:1–2

When praying at the beginning of the school year, I asked the Lord what the theme of this school year would be. He shared with me “New Beginnings.” While I was filled with extreme joy about the idea of a new beginning, I also remembered my life of every fresh start and that something has to go away or change for a new beginning to start. My changes were always extreme and life-changing. I knew that things would not be the same.

When I was a young bride, not only was I marrying my sweet husband, but I was marrying the military. This meant gaining a new community with a new lifestyle and a new home. My husband at the time was living in England, and I was going to go and move with him. This meant I had to give up my old life and start this new life. I had to leave my home, my idea of what I knew was typical, and create a new normal with a new home. This extreme change would require some motivation. Reflecting on God’s word for this year led me to think of 1 Peter 1:1–2.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 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

I remembered reading about The Romeike Family. The Romeike has seven children from parents Uwe and Hannelore Romeike. The Family is originally from Bissingen, a district of Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and were the subject of a civil case for Asylum in the U.S. Uwe and Hannelore wanted to homeschool their children. In Germany, they are required that all children must attend a government-sanctioned school (Private, Christian, Jewish, Public, Etc).

In August 2008, the Romeike Family left Germany to come to America. I’m sure that for them, it was hard to leave their home country and face a new language, culture, food, and way of life, but they felt they did it out of obedience to God.

To be exiled is to be barred from your native country for political or punitive reasons. In this case, Peter addressed people who were exiled because of their faith. They were exiled from their lands and were scattered in new countries. I’m sure that their beginning was tough. The new land is not their native land, most likely filled with new customs, traditions, and even a new language. I imagine how tough that would be.

I believe Peter used the first chapter to wish them grace and peace and remind them why they left their land. Sometimes you must be reminded of your purpose, especially amid an adjustment and tough beginning. To walk in extreme joy amid a change.

So dear reader. No matter where you are in life. No matter the extreme change, I echo the words of Peter. Grace and Peace be yours in abundance.