January 3, 2019

Chosen

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” – John 15:16

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

– 1 Peter 2:9

Have you ever been rejected? Most of us have. It hurts, doesn’t it?

All of us want to be accepted for who we are. We want to be enough. We want to be part of the “in” crowd, whatever stage of life we happen to be in. It doesn’t really matter if it’s work, church, neighborhood, service organization or social group. We want to feel welcomed and valued. Sadly, that doesn’t always happen.

Even when the majority like us, there’s always going to be someone who just doesn’t want us around. There’s always going to be that person who criticizes everything we say or do. We know it’s not about us. It’s about them. But it stings just the same.

Unfortunately, sometimes that sting hits where it hurts us the most. Have you ever been rejected by your spouse? Affairs happen every day but the betrayal cuts deep into the most vulnerable parts of us. The same is true when we are rejected by parents, children, even our employer. It threatens our stability, our belief in who we are.

Fortunately, we don’t ever have to worry about being rejected by Jesus. We don’t have to clean ourselves up. We don’t have to pretend we’re someone we’re not. We don’t have to be brilliant or beautiful or have it all together. All we have to do is show up and He meets us with open arms right where we are. How amazing is that?!

Jesus tells us that He chose us. Jesus picked us to be on His team. He wanted us. He values us. We are part of His family. That’s something that still just amazes me. No matter how many times we’ve faced rejection, we are gathered close and welcomed by the only One who matters.

We are people of the light. We are called to service. We are called to honor Him with our lives. We are set apart. We are His. Don’t ever lose sight of that.

Life hurts sometimes. People don’t always like us. People don’t always include us. But we have a Heavenly Father who loved us enough to send His Son to die so that we could live with Him forever. Let yourself be filled with His Spirit. Let His peace soothe your vulnerable places.

You are chosen. You are loved. You are welcomed just as you are.

September 26, 2018

He Chose Me

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” – John 15:16

It had been a particularly bad day in a life that hadn’t been that great. I was only 15 but I’d known more than my share of rejection. I just couldn’t take it anymore.

My Mother hated me. No one understood. They assumed I was exaggerating or it was just a fight. I didn’t try to talk about it to anyone anymore. They didn’t hear her words. They didn’t see the hatred in her eyes.

I planned to kill myself that day. As I waited for night to come, I went outside and sat on the grass. I held a Bible – her childhood Bible – and sobbed to God. I can’t say I knew Him but I sure wanted to. There was no one else to listen.

I opened the Bible to the Psalms. We were not a church going family, but I always found comfort in the words. Do you know what the first verse I read was?

Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. – Psalm 27:10

And because of that verse, I lived. Nothing in my circumstances changed. I lived in a house filled with hatred that was mostly directed at me. But the peace I felt carried me through the days. God’s Presence fueled my determination to survive and to create a different life for myself.

It wasn’t until many years later that I fully understood that the peace I felt came from the Holy Spirit. I didn’t become a Christian when I was baptized in college. I became a Christian that day I cried out to God in pain and He answered me with Himself.

I have not always lived up to His standards. I’m sure I’ll continue to let Him down again and again as I continue my journey home. But I know where I’m going. He chose me that day. Everyone else had rejected me but He called me His.

We like to think the choice is ours. We like to believe that we’re in control. And I guess we could say no. But how can anyone really say no to Jesus? Knowing Him has been the best gift I could ever receive.

I believe He sought me out long before I cried out to Him that day. There was a reason I clung to that tattered Bible. There was a reason I’d read the Psalms when I was heartbroken from the daily battles. I instinctively sought the One who could save me. And He, in turn, drew me near, bit by bit, until I became fully His.

I don’t know what your story is. Some people grow up in church and say they’ve always felt His Presence. Others know all the answers but that doesn’t seem to make a difference in their lives. I’m thankful it’s up to God to judge our hearts.

I love Him. It really is that simple. I love Him because He first loved me. I love Him because when everyone else thought I was worthless He called me beloved. I love Him because He never left me. He gave me hope. He chose me. I am so very thankful.