GodReflection: Power Words

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you. – Paul

Recess didn’t rank as my favorite time of day at my elementary school. Playground supervision was minimal. Surely, a couple hundred kids could supervise themselves for forty-five minutes.

What a spectacular opportunity for the playground bullies. They reigned supreme for forty-five minutes. A well-planted fist or a strategic knock down onto the rocky ground taught us wimps to steer clear.

The worst part of recess was the days of team sports. Two self-proclaimed captains would choose their team athlete by athlete then wimp by wimp. We all knew the chosen and we had no doubt as to the wimps. Chosen was not a word often used to describe my six-year elementary school career.

God sees the word chosen from a different perspective.

God goes for heart rather than talent. From the beginning to the end of Holy Scripture, God never chooses rulers and the elite. He begins with the heart. It is true that some of those whom God chose became rulers and elite. They emerged from humble hearts rather than from the stage of privilege.

God chose Mary and Joseph. God—as Jesus—chose the Apostles. Jesus chose those in need of a physician. Jesus chose the cross.

After the cross chosen reached a new peak. Chosen is no longer limited to the Jewish nation. Because of what God did through Jesus on the cross and at the resurrection, I an immigrant Texan am among the chosen.

I love the way the Apostle Peter describes my current state:

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

To know God chose me provides power for whatever I encounter on earth. To be chosen is the equivalent of a protective wrap to accompany me to eternity. No matter what I face, God chose me.

Harm can come my way. I can face illness and death. I can face disappointment and rejection. I can face poverty. However, to march under the banner of the chosen is being assured of reaching eternity with my soul free from harm.

Chosen is a simple word of power. It comes at a high cost. Yet, God only wants a yes as my response.

I would love to hear your reflections on God’s power word—chosen.

Stay Tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – A GodReflection on the Power Word Chosen

Gary@GodReflection.org