Nougat 26

I have never been a great athlete. And for many years it was the bane of my existence. During recess at school, when teams were being formed, I guarantee, I was The Last Person selected; and even then, it would be a mini argument unless the sides were imbalances so they’d share me. After a while – well, by the time I was halfway through high school – I was okay with it. Prior to that, it was humiliating to say the least.

Have you been there? The person least likely to be chosen for some reason? If so, I promise, Today’s Holy Nougat is for you. For you others, I hope it ministers to you nevertheless.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭TLV‬‬

Chosen

definition: Carefully selected as Best or Most Appropriate; Favoured; Appointed; Anointed; Not Rejected

To be chosen is often a big deal. I’ve known folks who wanted to be chosen for a role, not because they would say yes; but because it would suggest that they were considered. I’ve also heard of folks who were castigated by would-be colleagues for being selected above the internal staff.

Persons have vented their frustration about not being chosen in many ways; some favourable and others making the headlines. How do you treat Not being chosen?

I suspect that many of us might say our response varies; especially in relation to BC and AC. Before Christ, for many of us, chosenness was primarily a pride-status issue. It may have demonstrated physical, social or mental prowess; and we might have trophies, leadership roles or even wedding rings as the case may be. And such things have their value. Especially on our emotional well-being.

After Christ, however, although these are still valuable and important, I find that there’s an even greater matter of chosen-ness; and that is being Chosen By Christ! So we consider three examples briefly in the interest of our reflection; let’s make that four, for gender balance:

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Rebecca – Chosen, sight unseen, by her father-in-law for Isaac his son; yet God-appointed when Abraham’s servant prayed for a sign. (see Genesis 24, especially 24:12-15)

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Jeremiah – Chosen by God as a prophet to the nations BEFORE he was conceived! Yes God’s plans for us are in train from those early moments (see Jeremiah 1:5)

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Anna – the prophetess; who dedicated her life wholly to God and work in the temple after the death of her husband 60+ years prior. She was Chosen to meet the infant Jesus when He was dedicated in the temple (see Luke 2:36-38).

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Stephen – selected by lottery; yet Chosen by God to live the Faith as a deacon ie server, then as a preacher. His first sermon was also his last; BUT there in that crowd, was Saul also known as Paul (see Acts 6:5-15;7:1-8:1).

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I offer these four as reminders to us that there is no particular mold, physical, mental, financial or social prowess required by God for us to be Chosen. Actually, we are all chosen prior to our full awareness of God. God’s Spirit is resting on each of us since we accepted the invitation to CLAIM Jesus as the One in charge of our lives. One could say it’s a mutual choice, since we have Chosen Christ just as God has Chosen us.

And since that carries eternal consequences, I suspect that it should be more valuable than the times when we were not chosen. It is NOT a consolation prize; being Chosen by God IS The Prize. Chosenness means we’re appointed by God, selected BEFORE being born to be who we are, anointed for the task God has prepared for us (intentionally selected for our special talents, but not as a joint team member) and best of all that we are Loved! Loved by God, regardless of what others think or say. Loved, even when we are not good enough for others. Loved, even when we didn’t Choose ourselves.

Rest assured we are Chosen and that’s not accidental.

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May all we seek be found in Christ