Psalm 107:1–3, 17–22; Genesis 9:8–17; Ephesians 1:3–6
I don’t remember elementary school sports very much. I do know that while I was never picked first, I was rarely picked last. I was neither particularly good nor bad at sports, hence being a middle pick. I did have preferences for whose team I wanted to be on, though. While I didn’t, therefore, have the angst of being picked last, I certainly didn’t want to be on just any team. I wanted to be on my choice of team.
In some ways, I think of both passages as God saying, “I choose you!”
God chose you, too!
In team sports, there is some sort of expectation of performance. Every year, professional teams hold a draft, competing with each other for the “next best” young player. Big-name colleges will scout and try to recruit high school players.
The difference between God’s selection and a draft is God isn’t looking at performance (we already blew it), God is looking at the heart. God calls everyone. However, just like a draft, one can refuse.
We often try to justify ourselves. Sometimes we try to justify our very existence. God just said, “I chose you. I love you. That is the justification of your existence.”
※Reflection※
- What does being chosen by God mean to you?
- Why is it hard to understand why a person would not want to be chosen by God?
- Is being chosen by God a gift, a sacrifice, both?
※Prayer※
Thank you, Lord, for choosing me. May I continue to strive to honor the gift. Amen.
