Christian Herter was running for reelection asgovernor of Massachusetts and arrived late at a barbecue. He'd had no breakfast or lunch, and was famished. He moved through the serving line, holding his plate and received one piece of chicken. The governor said to the server, excuse me, do you mind if I get an- other piece of chicken? I'm very hungry. The woman serving the chicken replied, Sorry, I'm supposed to give one piece to each person. But I'm starved, pleaded the governor. Again she replied, only one to a customer! Herter decided to use the weightof his office. Madam, do you know who I am? I'm the governor of this state! The server replied, Sir, do you know who I am? I'm the lady in charge of the chicken. Now move along! Now that woman knew who she was and she under- stood the power in her identity.

Addressing the Christians dispersed as exiles throughout Asia Minor, the apostle Peter writes to clarify the identity question they faced as a minority community, Who are we? In our nation, the majority claim allegiance to Jesus. Still, theidentity crisis of the Christian community is evident in our response to these life style issues:

The real tragedy of our time is not that the world looks less Christian,but that Christians look so much like the world! So, Who are we? Peters answer is clear: You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people.

To be God's own people means that God has identified with us and we are children of a loving parent. God's love is like that of a father of a little boy with an illness that could bring on seizures without warning. One Sunday morning in church, the congregation was disturbed by a particularly violentattack. The father picked the boy up, carried him to the back of the crowded sanctuary and rocked him, whispering words of love to help the boy through the problem. The father showed no trace of embarrassment, only love for his hurting son.

God loves that way. Our problems are often self-imposed moral lapses, but as real as that of the boy. God is not embarrassed to call us daughters or sons. God cradles us through these times when we'd distract the world around us from hearing the message of God'slove. As people who have received the gift of this new, powerful identity as people claimed by God, we're called to throw open our church doors and invite others to become part of God's new people.

God loves music. The Bibleis full of music and song from Genesis to the new song of Revelation. Six musicians are introduced by name, and thirteen musical instruments are listed.

When God laid earth's foundation the morning stars sang together. Ruskin said, Not without design does God write the music of our lives.... If we look up, God Himself will beat the time for us. Someone else said: You, Lord, are the music of my soul. The poet Caroline S. Kotowicz wrote, My heart sings because I found God.

Paul had specialinsight into worship music: Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, while giving thanks and submitting to one another.(Eph. 5:18-21)Worship songs teach us if we let their words dwell in us richly, and sing with gracious hearts to the Lord.(Col. 3:16)

Through the Lord's songs we rejoice before the living God, we offer praise and love, we are comforted, encouraged,strengthened, and we are sharing this joy with others. Music is one expression common not only to all man kind, but also to the angels. Music is a Divine gift, crossing the dimensions of time and space. We offer it back to its Creator. Praise the Lord in song!

[1Pet 2:9] But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

[Eph 5:18] And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit,

[Eph 5:19] addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart,

[Eph 5:20] always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

[Eph 5:21] Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.