It was one of those days where a routine trip became an unexpected conversation with someone I had not seen in a while. It was one of those moments where earlier private prayers to God-became more clarified…and answered. This conversation gave me time to pause and reflect as I had my quiet time with God hours later. Not only did I recall her words conveyed, but I allowed myself to sit with my response as well. “Everyone has a story,” is what I found myself saying during the midst of our conversation. Not only validating what I had heard but knew far too well the emotions and uphill battle of what it takes to get yourself out of a rut and finally come into your own. When familiar words not only remind you of your past but gives you pause to thank God- you smile because you have indeed come a long way.
And that’s what I did. When I got home, I smiled, and I cried tears of joy and thanks. When you were a former member of a club who lounged in low self-esteem and questions of self-worth, you get it. You get the longings of others when their words don’t match their actions. You understand some of the actions of those when others do not. You know, and you get it…fast. You hear the cries of young women who go through too many relationship roller coasters and individuals who lack boundaries. You get the words that I heard from a friend- “I didn’t love myself. I used to go from relationship to relationship.” And the list can go on. Boy, do I get it. As she reflected on how far she came along, I nodded in agreement because I knew. I know. I know the silly cycles you can take when you don’t believe that you’re chosen. Because that is what it’s all about. You don’t believe it.
When you don’t believe what God has said about you, you long to be chosen…even to your detriment. When you unconsciously agree with the enemy and others that you are not enough, that you are not made in His image- you seek validation and long to be chosen, among other things. It may show up at work, in your family, in church, etc. No one is exempt when you question if you or “it” is good enough. Yes, I certainly get it.
But I also know what it’s like when you get to the other side and discover – you were fooled all along. That you not only caught the bait but you digested it and made it an ongoing meal for years. You were naïve and blind to believe lies from the biggest liar of them all. If I knew then what I know now, I would have destroyed the bait offered. But like my friend, now I know. For years, I’ve known. I’ve learned the freedom and joys of knowing who I am and whose I am. For years, I’ve believed the One who calls me His own. And that’s where my tears came from on that day. As I quietly spoke with God that evening, I found myself saying, “Thank you, Lord, for choosing me.” And I cried again. I cried for the years I didn’t believe, and for the years I did- including my now. I was free from the grips of a liar whose strategy involved keeping me down through my unbelief. You see, I was always chosen. Thank God I finally believe and now long for others to follow suit.
Yes, everyone has a story. But seeking affirmation and longing to be chosen by others? This does not have to be your story. Dear friend, if you didn’t know – you were chosen before your parents chose you. You were chosen before that proposal or marriage, and children. You were chosen before that job or promotion. You are chosen as a single person. You don’t have to perform or do anything “extra” for it. You were chosen by the One who wanted you here. By the One who had a plan for you to be here. By the One who has a plan for you still being here. You. Are. Chosen.
All you have to do is simply be. Be His. The One who formed you in your mother’s womb. The One who knows the number of hairs on your head, the One who looks at you and calls you his own. The One who calls you to trust and be Holy- like Him. Let no one else fool you. Ever. Not individuals- who don’t have a Heaven or hell to put you in. Nor by the enemy, who’s biding time until his end.
Every day, you are chosen. Do not let another moment go by and think otherwise. Act like you are called by One who has the power to choose all because He chose YOU!
John 15:16, 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. New International Version (NIV)
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