Chosen — By Dean Marini
The NFL Draft was carried out in a unique way this year because of Covid-19 concerns. But, it still all came down to one question —“Will I be chosen?” The longer it took, the more agonizing it became. Sports networks, like us, are fascinated by players who aren’t drafted where experts predicted. And, most can relate to that sinking feeling of waiting to be chosen.
Whether it’s a job interview, pick-up game, dating or game show…we spend a great deal of our lives waiting (and wanting!) to be selected. When you’re the first one picked, there’s a sense of pride (not to mention a nice ego boost). On the other hand, if we’re the last one picked, it’s easy to feel sorry for ourselves. We’d almost rather just go home than play on a team with those “stuck” with us.
John 15:16 begins with the wonderful phrase, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you.” Read that once more: “I chose you.” The Lord chose us. We spend so much time trying to be chosen by others, wanting to be noticed by them, but we must remember — we’ve already been chosen. In paraphrasing John 3:16 we discover once again that God so loved the world He sent His only begotten Son to choose us. 1 Peter 2:9 reads, “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.”
One of the most astounding things about God’s choosing is that … we don’t bring much to the team. We certainly aren’t the best player. Furthermore, and contrary to a captain of a team, God chooses us so that He can bless us! What grace! What mercy! What love! He loves us so much that He overlooks all our shortcomings and deficiencies. His offer to be a child of God–to be “on the team”– is for anyone who wants it.
There is no doubt a wonderful sense of satisfaction being chosen by God. It also gives us great purpose. John 15:16 continues with, “…and [He] appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” Christ calls us to do the things that He did. He challenges us to love unconditionally, give generously, pray continuously and, to do it all without hesitation. We validate being on God’s team by the way in which we love.
A third benefit of being chosen by God is that He equips us. Verse 16 of John 15 concludes, “and so that whatever you ask in My Name, the Father will give you.” In other words, we don’t have to do things in our limited strength. Throughout scripture, we see much testimony regarding the Lord’s provision, and we have that same assurance today. God will take care of us; He will make a way.
Today, take joy in knowing that you are already chosen. I like to think of it like this… “Next time you’re up to bat, God is on-deck saying, ‘just get on base because I am up next!’”
God chose you, so He’s got you.
Written by Dean Marini
