Do you remember the playground at elementary school? The kids were about to play kickball and two self-decided team captains started to choose their teammates. One by one the team captains chose a kid to play on their team. Then they chose the next kid. Then the next kid. Then the kid after that. It was finally down to you and the kid who hasn’t showered in weeks. Deep breath, and the next team captain chooses “that kid” over you! Really?! I mean really?!!
It never feels good to be chosen last. Often these feelings can linger into our teen years and even into adulthood. So what do we do about it? Sometimes we hide. Sometimes we prevent these situations from ever happening again. We avoid all situations where we could ever be chosen (or chosen last, or not chosen at all). We do everything in our power to prevent ever feeling that vulnerable or helpless (or hopeless) again.
But what if I told you that this is all a lie? What if I told you that there is power in the universe wanting you to feel this way? A power that wants to psych you out, keep you hidden, limit your capacity and abilities, and keep you from achieving your God-given potential? That my friend- is the job of the enemy. And when you give him an inch, he will gladly take the full mile and then some.
I want you to know that you, yes YOU, (behind that screen) are chosen. Not only are you chosen, but you are chosen first! Read that again… you are chosen first! Each and every day God chooses his people first, and you are one of his people. God chose you! And not because you earned it, did something spectacular, or won a golden ticket.
If we take a look at the Bible- God doesn’t often choose the strongest, the wisest, the richest, or the “got it figured all out” kind of people. No! He chooses the exact opposite- the humble, the kind, the meek, the small, the broken people to carry out his handiworks and perform miracles. Even some of the disciples had some doubts about Jesus and what sort of rollercoaster ride they were about to embark on.
You see, God chose you:
-To be the light to others
-To bring hope and kindness to a dark world
-To tangibly serve others in only ways that you could
-To encourage other moms/dads in motherhood or fatherhood
-To foster or adopt children (and adults) into your family
-To be a mentor or a teacher to your kids, other people’s kids, co-workers, and your community
-To help the world around you, whether you are single and ready to mingle, happily or (un)happily married, a single parent, a bereaved parent, an overwhelmed parent, a widow, an empty nester, a senior, retired, etc.
Gods sees it all- and is often taking all the “broken pieces” in your life and meticulously putting them together to create a grand master piece- a mosaic piece of art, if you could imagine.
Often in my own workplace, we talk a lot about “getting in the weeds”. This means that we are in the trenches, in the mundane details of a task, and can hardly see the next ten feet in front of us or a pathway out.
But God… he’s not in the weeds. Oh no, he is much like a majestic bald eagle soaring 500 feet high above those weeds. He sees all the weeds, he sees us mustering through them, struggling, maybe even whining about how much we hate those darn weeds. God sees the path we need to take from that 500 foot view, he sees the horizon, and he knows what’s comes next, which direction to lead us, and how to prepare us for what lays ahead.
God has a 500 foot view of your entire life and knows just how all of your broken pieces are going to come together. He knows the best path, the dangers and trials lurking, the skills you will need for the next obstacle on that path, and all the shortcuts, long cuts, and scenic views along the way.
Now just how can we too get this sort of 500 foot view over our own lives? How can we step into being chosen and confidently go in the direction we should go?
1. Patience - We should learn to trust God’s perfect timing more, and throw out our expectations and timelines for what we think “should” happen and “when” we think it should happen. Often God is moving in our lives and answering our prayers, but usually in unexpected or uncanny ways.
2. Obedience - We should learn to listen and obey God’s gentle nudges and impressions. Even when it’s uncomfortable, seems odd, is inconvenient, or makes you look a little too “holy moley” in front of your family or friends. We need to flex those faith muscles, step into in faith, and obey what we hear him calling us to do.
3. Study Jesus! We need to learn how Jesus practiced patience and was obedient to Gods gentle nudges and impressions. In what ways can we be more like Jesus? Not only talk the talk but also walk the walk in our every day lives.
Psalm 25:14 says “The lord confides in those who honor him. He makes his covenant known to them”. Now I don’t know about you- but I think having some Godly insight and that 500 foot view over my life would be pretty stinkin awesome!
If you are with me in that thought… then I encourage you to take an easy first step: attend an Easter church service this next Sunday. Just come see! No strings attached, no koolaid you need to drink, no judgment or expectations. Just come see ;)