Flashback to childhood. We’re on the playground and it’s decided that we’ll pick teams for the game we’re playing. A sick feeling washes over us as we ask ourselves the question, “Will I be chosen?”.
Being ‘chosen’ is a big deal. And our feelings associated with it were not left on the playground of our childhood. Oh no, they are just as real today, and they can surface every time we find our fate in the hands of someone else. Will he ask me to marry him? Will they choose me for the job? Will I get invited to the party? Will I be selected for the promotion?
Being chosen – or not – has great impact on our perceived self-worth. To be chosen means security, stability, peace, comfort, inclusion, and confidence. To not be chosen often leads us to feel unwanted, unnecessary, insignificant, excluded, shamed, and weak.
Even as Christ-followers we aren’t immune to these situations and feelings. But I want to encourage you today by reminding you that no matter what the world says, you have in fact been chosen – by God himself! AND not only have you been chosen, but you have been chosen for a purpose. AND you have been equipped to bring that purpose to life in order to change lives and impact the world!
There are so many verses in the Bible about this but here are just two to set the tone:
John 15:16 – You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you SO THAT you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
1 Corinthians 1:26–29 – Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
There is great power in being chosen.
So remember where your value comes from! Hold your head high and walk with confidence because you were picked first! You are integral to His plan! He created you to fulfill his purpose and change the world. And guess what, when it’s all said and done, you are on the winning team!