Chosen

The word “chosen” takes me immediately back to my school days where I can visualize my classmates and myself all lined up and fearfully waiting to hear our names called to be chosen for the team.   I remember how disappointed I was when I didn’t make the cut to be on the cheerleading team. Maybe it brings back similar memories for you.  Maybe we were thinking, “I hope I am not chosen last” or we were feeling sorry for the friend that WAS left for last.  Perhaps being chosen or “asked” to go to the high school dance by that special girl or boy in your class that you have a “crush” on creates a flashback in your mind.  When we’re young, it seems so critical to us that we feel included, special and to be known as the popular one.  As we get older (and maybe a little wiser?), being chosen is just as important to our self-esteem, although maybe we would deny it.  How does it make you feel to be chosen to be on that committee, or to be picked to oversee a project at work?  Let’s admit it, you and I like to feel needed and respected for our knowledge, talents and advice.  However, I also must admit that when I may be that person that is chosen by friends or colleagues, I also find myself shrinking back and discounting humbly that I’m not worthy.  It makes me stop and think, wondering what it is that I really want.  When I retreat into my prayer time and truly listen, it’s then that I feel that gentle calling deep in my soul, I know the true answer to my wondering.  The only important part that I want to be chosen for, the most important role, is being chosen by Jesus.   When we go about our days with the reminders that He puts before us confirming that we are chosen – (many times for difficult tasks for which that we don’t want to raise our hands) we need to trust, just like His Father chose Him.  Jesus is standing before you right now, eyes directly on you, and with confidence He speaks your name to be chosen for His team.  Don’t ask anymore “why does He want me?” or say, “I am not worthy to be chosen.”  Just as Mary simply answered the angel, after she was chosen to bear our savior, so must we respond to his invitation by declaring –

“Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38