you are chosen

My sophomore year of high school I decided to join the swim team. After the season was over, towards the end of the school year, I got an invitation to the athletic banquet. I found out at the banquet, I had been awarded “most improved” for the girls swim team that year. Only those awarded were invited with their families. I remember feeling so special when I found out I had been invited to the event, and even more special when I walked to the front of the auditorium to receive my award in front of a lot of my peers and classmates. My parents were so proud of me. In that moment I felt noticed and seen, I felt chosen.

However, I have also been on the opposite side of those feelings. I recently walked through a situation where a close friend told me, they didn’t see our relationship progressing. Plainly, they saw things going a way where I was not in the picture. I was not chosen. I know, in some way, you can sympathize with this pain. I have been there, you have been there, we all have been there. And it hurts, a lot.

I have been struggling to bring my thoughts to words, because what I write about, is what I go through. It is not always easy for me to communicate that depth. But, I pray this word will always reach the right person.

Walking through a situation of not being chosen is painful, lonely, and has left my mind in total darkness at times. The voices in my head loudly condemn me of not being good enough. They ration with me on why I wasn’t the one. They replay the memories, thoughts, and words spoken over me, as to why I wasn’t chosen. They are overwhelming and leave me most of the time in tears.

This past week, I was driving to work and I felt these thoughts and voices flood over me. All of the sudden I said, “God thank You, for choosing me.” In that moment, I didn’t even know the weight of what I had just said. Then I spoke again, “Thank You God, for choosing me.” Saying that simple truth out-loud brought so much hope and encouragement to my heart. Every time I repeated it out loud, I started to actually believe what I was saying. It was like my head and heart connected. I began to laugh in joy, with tears of thankfulness running down my face, from realizing that the God of the universe chose me.

And, I believe in that moment God spoke to my heart. I am chosen. You are chosen.

It is certain to walk through this life, and experience the feelings of not being picked. Whether it be in the form of a job, parent, spouse, friend, church family, our own family, or at school. Whatever that may look like in your life, I know it is difficult. But may the Lord remind you today, that you are chosen.

Ephesians 1:4 states, “...even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him (ESV).”

I don’t know about you, but when I’m walking through a hurt or a loss, I’m not a “fired up,” “ready to go” christian. I hurt and I struggle. Yet, what God reminded me in that hurt, is a simple truth: He chose me. No matter what you are facing today, if you are feeling unseen or overlooked, God has not passed you by. He already chose you. Before the foundation of the world was ever laid! Someone may speak “not chosen” over you, but God has already decided that verdict. You are chosen!

Even since that morning in my car, I have struggled to believe this truth. It is hard, when the voices fight and your situation is loud. In those moments of struggle, I’ve been stopping and asking God to help me simply believe, a continual process. I want to believe what God says over any lie the enemy whispers to me, or maybe in your case, that someone may speak over you.

Being chosen is not a feeling, but it is a truth. God’s Word said it. The only thing required of us, is to simply believe.

Yesterday, today, and forever, you are chosen.

I don’t know what pain you have walked through, or may currently be walking through. But amidst all the things someone has spoken over you, or situation your has convinced you of, may God’s voice speak louder. He can help your unbelief.

Our brokenness is not “too big” for Him. He has already chosen you, and is waiting for you to let Him sing His sweet song of truth over you.

Today, I am chosen. Today, you are chosen.

Deuteronomy 32:9, “But the Lord's portion is his people…(ESV).”

God, help us to fathom the love You have in abundance for us, knowing that we are Yours.