Identity: Chosen

We humourously see a common scenario portrayed in multiple ways through television. It goes like this: a group of people decide to recreationally enjoy a team sport, so they pick captains who then go through & choose people for their teams. Those captains generally choose the most athletic, quickest, strongest, elite members first, leaving the undesired awkwardly standing about hoping that they are not the last one chosen. In fact, all of us have experienced rejection in some form or another. Hollywood can do its best to make light of it, but what occurs deep inside is painful & not at all humourous. We all hope that we are good enough, funny enough, attractive enough, skilled enough, etc..., when in reality, we all have weaknesses that will keep us from being chosen.

You did not choose me, but I chose you... (John 15:16a ESV)

God chose us first. He did not choose us when no one else wanted us, He came in & chose us before anyone else had the chance! The Bible calls us a "chosen race" (1 Peter 2:9) & in the book of Isaiah (41:9), God says "...I have chosen you and not cast you off". He desires us more than anything & wants us to choose Him as well.

About three weeks ago my boyfriend dug in the dirt & pulled out a beautiful ring he had buried there for me. He told me that of all God's creation I am the most beautiful, then he asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. He chose me. His proposal was not only a declaration of his love for me, but also of his choosing to do life with me forever. When Rob proposed & chose me, he esteemed value to me by pledging his life to be with me.

Jesus Christ chose us. He chose us before time began & He knew us by name. He chose us before anyone else could. We were not chosen because of our talents. We were not chosen because of how good we are. We were chosen because He deeply loves us. We have a God who wants us, desires us, & longs for us. He wants us to come into intimacy with Him & to do life with Him forever. He esteemed value to us by His death on the cross. We are priceless. We have been chosen.