I stared out the large window, happy it was raining. This meant our sixth grade class would have to go to the gym for recess! It also meant I would get to play my favorite game: dodgeball. Thirty minutes later, I was standing on the gym floor, waiting in line to be chosen. As the team captains debated back and forth, I waited and waited to hear my name. Pick me, already, I love this game! I excitedly took my place when called, I was more than ready to play.
Ten years later, I knelt in a dorm room. The weight of what Jesus had sacrificed was indescribable. My heart couldn’t help but ask- why me? Why did you choose me?
No matter who you are, where you’ve been or what you’ve done, Jesus has the same response. “Come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest.”
Are you weary of this world?
Are you weary of this life?
Are you weary of the striving and the conniving and the thriving only to discover it’s not what you really want?
Is it hard, no, just about impossible, to imagine a perfect Savior standing before you, choosing you or me as reason enough to die a criminal’s death for your sin, for my sin? Can we imagine Him saying, ‘Yes, I choose you. I want to offer you the freedom of returning to God?’
I was a fairly good dodgeball player, back in school. I always had to wait until all the boys were chosen, then I would get picked early on from the line-up of girls.
But waiting for Jesus to pick? I can’t imagine.
Amazingly, I and you, don’t have to – He already made the decision. You see, His Father made it long ago. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1. (NIV)
God didn’t size up our abilities. He didn’t calculate our speed or dexterity. He didn’t weigh our pros and cons as a player of life.
He knows the person He created each of us to be. He knows the gifts and talents He poured into each, and the calling He has placed on your life and mine. He also knows how He plans to equip us as we journey through. He has called our names.
It’s hard to fathom His choice sometimes, isn’t it? How He can declare such confidence over you and me, when we can’t muster an ounce of it ourselves. Yet, He knows.
He knows the great love He has for us. (John 3:16)
He knows the plans He has for us. (Jeremiah 29:11)
He knows we are redeemed. (Isaiah 43:1)
Do you and I know these things with the great certainty and confidence and clarity He does? Are we ready to dive into this game of today, prepared to play the game to win for Him? Let’s ask for His help with just that.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You for choosing me. I can’t believe it. Truly. But You did and I thank You for it. Please draw me nearer to Your heart, teach me, guide me, and show me what You author for me to say, to do, and to carry to You. Thank You for doing life with me, In Jesus’ name, Amen.