God Chooses You

Hello Friends,

Brrrrrr…. did you notice that it was a little chilly this past week? The wind was blowing, the sun was hiding behind the clouds, and there was even snow on the ground. What a change from just a few days ago when it felt like fall. I guess winter is here, and it is here to stay for a while. Stay warm, enjoy some hot chocolate, and find a comfy spot on the couch under your favorite blanket.

This weekend, as I was helping at the Food Pantry, visiting some people, and attending birthday parties (all while trying to stay warm), I was reminded of a song that I grew up hearing in church. The song goes something like this, “God claims you. God helps you, protects you, and loves you too. We this day do all agree a child of God you’ll always be.” Did you know that God claims you? Did you know that God has chosen you? We often don’t think about it, but it’s true. God has certainly chosen you, me, and all of us. But what does that mean? Well, let me tell you a story…

Do you like sports? What’s your favorite sport? Are you pretty good? Not everyone is, you know. Today I have a story to tell you about a boy named Thomas who was pretty bad at sports.

Thomas looked up from his book as his teacher announced to his class, “It’s time for recess–we’re going to play softball. Jacob, you and Mary will be the team captains today.”

“Oh no!” Thomas thought to himself, “If Jacob and Mary are choosing their teams, I’ll probably be one of the last ones chosen, as usual.” As he stood with the other children on the playground, Thomas tried to pretend it didn’t bother him when the other children were chosen, one by one, and he was left behind. But the truth was, it really hurt his feelings. “I wish, just once I could be the first one chosen,” Thomas whispered to himself.

I hope this hasn’t ever happened to you, but the truth is that it’s happened to most of us at one point or another. Surely there must be a better way to choose teams. Does anyone have any ideas about how to make the process better? I have an idea! What if we just have everyone number off 1-2-1-2-1-2? All of the ones could be on one team and all of the twos on the other. This way, no one is the last one chosen.

Our Bible lesson today is about being chosen to be in God’s family. Would you like to be in God’s family The good news is the way Thomas’ classmates chose teammates is not how God chooses His family. God chooses everyone who accepts Jesus as their savior. The Bible tells us that before He even made the world, God loved us and chose us–He already knew who would choose to accept Jesus. Anyone and everyone can be in God’s family by placing their faith in Jesus. God welcomes and wants everyone!

In the Bible we see this happen over and over and over again. Doing a simple Google search, I found a list of 101 biblical characters that many would have seen as “unfit, unlikely” to do the work of God but God still chose them and used them. For example, Adam and Eve were deceived by Satan, ate from the tree of knowledge, and did what was wrong in the sight of God; but God chose them to start the human race. Jacob deceived his father and brother, yet God chose Jacob to become the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. Jonah attempted to run from God, but God still chose Jonah to save the wicked town of Nineveh. Moses at first didn’t want to listen to God, yet God chose him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt to the Promised Land. Gideon struggled with doubt and fear, but God chose him to lead Israel to victory against the Midianites. And Esther, an orphan and exile lied about who she was, but God chose her to save her people from extermination.

What about the New Testament? The shepherds, seen as lowly and unimportant in society, were chosen by God to share the “good news of great joy.” Matthew and Zacchaeus were vigorous and greedy tax collectors, but God chose them to follow Jesus. God, knowing the decisions of Judas, still chose Judas to become a disciple of Jesus. The prodigal son wasted his inheritance on sinful living, but God chose him and he was welcomed home. Thomas doubted the resurrection of Jesus, but God chose him to preach about the resurrection. Peter denied Jesus, but God still chose him to be the rock of the church. Paul persecuted Christians, but God chose him to save others. Those with leprosy, those with unclean spirits, those with committed sins, those living amongst the dead, those forced to live in caves outside the city walls, those with greed and lust in their hearts, were still chosen by God to do the work of Jesus Christ. These examples remind us that no one is beyond redemption or the reach of God’s transforming power; and that no one is too broken, too flawed, too imperfect, too unlikely, or beyond the possibility of being chosen and used by God to do extraordinary things.

When we confess our sin and put our trust in Jesus, we become God’s adopted children, and He makes everything work out according to His plan for us. I am so glad that God chose me to be a part of His family. How does it make you feel that God wants you to be part of His family?

Let Us Pray: Dear God, thank You for choosing us and for claiming us and for sending your Son so that we can choose to be a part of your family. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Friend, Holy Spirit!

Lesson Borrowed from https://sermons4kids.com/sermons/god-chooses-us?srsltid=AfmBOopc6oNwvSeXpjCXK5QdameX7W4hg-KM8su3QfG9MSpFp33L81gm