Hey Friend,
At some time we probably have all experienced what it is like not to be chosen. For me, it was often in gym class when pick up teams were being chosen for dodge ball or softball. I knew all too well the dejected feeling of being the consolation pick at the end. I knew I didn't have a very good throwing arm and so did the athletically inclined girls in class.
But, what about the thrill of being chosen? I get super excited if my name is drawn out of the hat for the door prize because I rarely win those types of things. Maybe you know the thrill of being chosen for a team? a date? an award? a job?
I went to a high school with over 3,000 students. I thought, at the time, that the pinnacle of being chosen was to be selected all four years for the cheerleading squad. I practiced hard for those tryouts and I endured the looks (you know the kind) and the catty comments. This was surely what being "chosen" was all about...
That was until I caught on to what being "chosen" was all about in God's vernacular. Worldly choosing is about luck or looks or athletic prowess. God's choosing is based on love. Worldly choosing is based upon competition. God's choosing is based upon being called.
You are chosen by God: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, (Hebrew translation for the word knew is chosen) before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5). God was speaking to Jeremiah. He also is speaking to you and me.
God set His people Israel apart to be His own: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9).
The Bible says that God's choosing is not based on anything we do to earn or deserve His love. He loves us and chooses us to be His own because the very definition of God is love. It's really pure and simple.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28).
Know that the Lord as set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him. (Psalm 4:3).
God chooses you simply because He IS love and you are the object of His affection. He chooses you to be in relationship with Him...to be the beneficiary of His great love. He chose to send His son to die for you.
The emphasis here is not on the one being chosen, but rather on the One doing the choosing.
In worldly choosing it is the survival of the fittest. In God's economy it is being chosen because the creator of the universe loves YOU that much! He loves you just for being YOU!
While we were yet sinners, God chose to love us. He sets us apart and draws us into Himself and wants to wrap us in His love and whisper to us, "I choose you." I pray that you will welcome being chosen and that you will accept God's gift of unfailing love.
In His love,
Bev
Bev, thank you for this great reminder. I realized several years ago that although I was sitting by myself at lunch, in the office, talking to no one for long period of times that God had set me apart. I remember sitting at lunch on day when many from the office came in and I felt invisible. Oh but no, the words, you are set apart filled me. I truly wished others knew that being alone really isn't be "alone". If others are in this position, may they come to realize like I did, it is a gift and a blessing. We are not subjected to hearing certain conversations that would not be pleasing to God. To this very day, I may wait to have lunch at a later time because of the crowd and conversations. Being by myself (yourself) is not a bad thing! I am never alone because the God is with me wherever I go. Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Yes I was sooooooo excited when you emailed me letting me know I won the beautiful cup. I've added it to my prayer cup collection. This great gift also came at a time when I was in desperate need of being uplifted. Thank you my friend! BE (be encouraged)!
ReplyDeleteAnna,
DeleteYou make a good point that by the world's standards we may appear to be alone, when in God's vernacular we are set apart. I, too, take great comfort to know that God is with me wherever I may go...I am never out of his reach. So glad you are enjoying the coffee cup - I love good, uplifting scripture with my coffee each morning. It gets my day off on the right foot :) We ALL need to be uplifted!
Blessings my friend,
Bev
I love your "chosen" verses, Bev. My kids and I memorized Romans !:1-18 last year and my favorite for some reason was v. 7: "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to belong to Jesus Christ." It doesn't use the word "chosen," but I loved remembering that I'm loved and called to belong.
ReplyDeleteBetsy,
DeleteI love the wording, "called to belong to Jesus Christ." What better invitation can we receive in life? Thanks for your continued encouragement!!
Blessings to you,
Bev
Hello sweet friend. :))) Coming by for the encouragement that is always sure to be found here. I'm feeling sad today so this was REALLY needed. I'm hope your hubby is all settled in. Let's plan a time to connect soon.
ReplyDeleteLove you and (((hugs))),
Beth
Hello Beth,
DeleteI am so sorry that you are feeling sad. I can only imagine the moments of sadness and missing your husband that you must experience. I'm glad you found some love and encouragement here...Know you are in my thoughts and prayers. We are snowed/iced in with many boxes to unpack, but I will be in touch...
With love and ((hugs)),
Bev
Bev...
ReplyDeleteSome of the verses I read last week as I struggeled hard with the feeling of being God's sinful child. I'm always seeing me as the imperfect and sinning child wich God must forgive again and again. But the reality of being chosen by love slowly began to comfort my heart like a warm hand that wrappes my heart.
When will I truly see me in the perfect light of being chosen by love? Of being loved truly and deeply and without any question? A friend of me said that I will not feel it until I started to believe it.
You helped me as always.
Be blessed and feel hugged.
Sonja (known as Rosie at incourage ;) )
Sonja,
DeleteWe are all sinners but as believers we can cling to Romans 8:1...Therefore there is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Though we mess up time and time again, God continues to see us as clean because the blood of Christ covers us. I believe we all go between assurance and doubt as to being truly and deeply loved. When I begin to doubt, I pray like the doubting disciple..."Lord I believe; help my unbelief." Our faith is not based upon feelings (thankfully) because our feelings can be deceiving, but is based upon the fact that God loves us without ceasing. Praying for God's comfort upon your heart!
Love and ((hugs)),
Bev