I’ve not always been as buff as I am right now.
In fact, in my earlier years, I was a pretty scrawny little fella’. Knobby knees. Chicken legs. You know, all of those attributes that attract the ladies like moths to a flame.
My diminutive stature had more subtle consequences, too. Do you remember in middle school gym class when the coach/teacher would appoint someone (in our case, it was the captains of the basketball team) to pick the teams for the dodgeball game?
If you were big or you were a boy – you were always drafted first. If you were a girl or a skinny preemie, well, we typically were the last to be chosen. Isn’t it funny how being picked…or not picked can impact us?
That stuff sticks with you.
Maybe that’s why when I began to learn more about God – how despite all of the dumb things I’d done (and would do), he chose ME. Not because I was the biggest or best, holiest or most humble. Quite the opposite.
In fact, when I was at my lowest, sitting on a concrete floor in the Knox County juvenile detention center (apparently department stores want you to pay for everything you take out of their stores), I discovered God had a better plan for my life. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
That means God knew me. He knew the mess I’d made of things. And he knew the mess I’d continue to make of things. And yet: he chose ME.
God knows everything. EVERYTHING. And he picked me. Most of us don’t get to pick our families. But God did.
When I slow enough to consider the magnitude of what God saved me from, and how utterly underserving I am – I’m blown away. And so very thankful.
Maybe you’re like me and you’ve made some mistakes. Some big ones. Some you made before and promised God you wouldn’t make again. Then you did.
Can I encourage you?
If you’ve responded to God’s pursuit of you and have put your faith and trust in Jesus’ sacrifice on your behalf – God chose YOU.
He picked YOU. A really, really long time ago. (“…he chose us in him before the foundation of the world” Ephesians 1:4).
No matter how deep your doubts or how far you’ve strayed, you can’t be UNchosen.
There’s no asterisk behind God’s choosing. No contingency or escape clause.
It’s time to embrace and receive the truth that we’re part of God’s family. And God doesn’t have red-headed stepchildren or black sheep in his family. We’re all a mess. But God picked us anyway.
SO…let’s stop wondering why we’ve been chosen and start living as those who know we’ve been chosen.
[bctt tweet=”Let’s stop wondering why we’ve been chosen and start living as those who know we’ve been chosen.”]
God knew what he was doing when he picked us. We get to represent him to a broken and hurting world. He gave us gifts that would help mend that brokenness. He placed us around people who would wonder what God is like…and we get to give them a taste.
What a privilege and opportunity.
That’s much better than getting nailed in the face by a dodgeball, anyway.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession….
John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you.
