CHOSEN!

We all love to be chosen for things. It may be a ball team, part in a play, an invitation to speak or sing, chosen for a lunch date, or a host of other opportunities. We are often chosen because we are loved, have worth, accomplished in a certain area, or because we are well-known. Rarely is a person chosen for anything if at least one of these reasons is not present. When we are chosen for something, it changes our position, our presentation, our response, and we are often very proud to be associated with  the person who has chosen us. We feel a part of something, we belong. 

Over the past year, the thought of God choosing me has really been overwhelming to me. As we toured Europe for almost 5 years, seeing and learning about other societies, learning more about history and seeing countries that know little of God's love, knowing that I have been chosen by Him really gave me a stronger sense of appreciation as well as responsibility for God. How blessed I have been to learn of Jesus dying for me at an early age, being raised in  church, going to a Christian college, having a Christian husband and so much more! Through salvation, we have been united with Christ. He lives in us and we live through Him. This changes everything about who we are! Sweet sister, I want you to walk down this "chosen" road with me for just a bit. What does it really mean to be chosen? When did God choose you and me? Why did He choose us? What did God see in us that made us special enough for Him to choose us? What should our response be? 

Looking at definitions of "chosen", almost all summarize as, "being selected as the best". Sister, let that sink in just a few minutes. God takes our weakness, mistakes, disappointments and failures to use for His glory!   Exodus 15:4 and John 15:16 speak of being chosen, singled out from others to complete honorable service or tasks. You and I were chosen by God! He chose us and calls us to live lives seeking to bring Him glory, to praise Him. He chose us for change- change in ourselves as well as change in those with whom we come in contact with. When God chose you, He changed you, He put you exactly where you are to serve Him. He continues to change us more and more into His likeness as we draw closer to Him. We have been chosen to live holy lives, sharing His love and His story so that those we come in contact with may see and seek God's love. Because of our position in Him, we experience grace, joy and peace.

Chosen is our position in Him. He chose us and calls us to live lives seeking to bring Him glory. He chose us for change- change in ourselves as well as change in those in whom we come in contact. When God chose you, He changed you. He put you exactly where you are to serve Him and to continue changing into His likeness as we live holy lives drawing closer to Him. Because of our position in Him, we experience grace, joy, and peace. We are loved with an everlasting love, and God has chosen us to fulfill a role in His plan, His story, exactly where He has us today. What an honor to be chosen to be faithful to the God of the universe, our Creator and Savior!

In Ephesians 1, Paul speaks to the church of Ephesus about the wonderful security of being chosen. In this chapter, we see God choosing us to be blameless and holy, which is only through Jesus. We see the gospel of salvation as well as the praise and glory of His grace. Seen in this chapter is a clear understanding that there is absolutely NOTHING we can/ could do to earn salvation. This gift of being chosen is a complete and everlasting gift of God. Adoption by Jesus to himself to dwell in His family forever! He has set us free from the sin which enslaved us and adopted us as His own. Not only did He choose us, but He did so "before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4)!

Let's spend just a minute in verse 4 taking a look at what being chosen by God looks like. Paul tells the church (us) here that we should be holy and without blame before God in love. We can only accomplish this through Jesus blood (chosen and adopted by Him). We are to live praising Him (1:16, 14), grow in wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (1:17-19) so that we can truly experience His power and hope. Oh sister, to be chosen to embrace the identity of our Heavenly Father- what a special opportunity. God knew, even before we were formed in our mother's womb that we would be here, in this moment, chosen for His great pleasure, praise, and service.

One of my favorite scenes in the Bible of a person being chosen by God is in Numbers 27:15-23. Moses knew that he would not be allowed to enter the Promised Land and his greatest concern was for Israel to have a good leader, a shepherd. God answered his request by choosing Joshua, a strong man full of courage, obedience, success and commitment. Joshua chose to continue serving and trusting God when others around him were faltering. God chose Joshua, commissioned him for a special task. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and fulfilled all that God had planned for his life. Joshua's final charge to the Israelites in Joshua 24:15 was, "Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord".

As we go into 2026, how will you respond to being chosen by our Creator and Savior? We have been chosen to live a God-centered life in a self-centered world. How

will 2026 look different for you as you seek to live a spirit-filled life submitting to His commands? God has given us armor so that we are able to stand against the schemes of the devil. These weapons prepare us to stand strong in the Lord just as Joshua did. Ephesians 6:11-18 tells us about these weapons: truth, peace, salvation, righteousness, faith and the Word of God. In my next blog, we will take a closer look at them. This week, pray that God will press upon your heart how privileged you are to be chosen, set apart, and adopted into the family of God. The one true God that knew you before creation, chose you, and redeemed you will be walking every step in 2026 with you. Spend the next week basking in His love, your adoption, and yes, knowing that you have been chosen by our everlasting Father for good works. Pray that in 2026, you will stand like Joshua serving Him! I hope you will return to this blog next week as we dive into the armor of God, headed into battle in 2026! Praise God, our Mighty Savior will be leading in 2026 us just as He did Joshua, and as He has promised us.

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Scripture to reflect on: Ephesians 1 (esp. vs 4), 2:10, 6; Numbers 27:15-23; Psalm 139:13-16 (read the whole Psalm and be blessed); Jeremiah 1:4-5, 29:11; Galatians 1:15; Romans 8:29