Chosen……it’s a beautiful word, isn’t it?
It’s a great feeling to be chosen; it means we were noticed, appreciated, valued and wanted. All great things to be!
When Jesus chose those who would be his closest companions – those he would spend the most time with teaching and pouring his heart into, they weren’t really what religious folk of the day would have called likely candidates for disciple school.
They were common people living common lives and some of them not so admirably at that. I’d like to think that if Jesus were to start all over again, say in 2016, he would do the same. Would we “religious folk” agree with his choices? I wonder….
I’m not sure there has ever been a time in my life where I felt “worthy” to be a disciple of Jesus, (I’m a great believer that grace covers that part!) but there have certainly been times I’ve felt better equipped. One of the unexpected detours along this path of healing has been wondering if God can ever really use me again….
Now, before you rush to text, email and message me affirming words to the contrary (’cause that’s just the kind of awesome friends and readers you are!) let me explain.
There’s a great confidence that comes with a life of service to God. There have been so, so many years behind me of God’s favor, of God’s grace and of God’s providence. We have been so very, very blessed! But suffering such great losses in recent years has made me take stock of all of it – of my faith, of my service to God and my place in God’s great plan.
However…..I can honestly say that, though it’s been so very, hard….in my weakness He is indeed strong. And that strength becomes more and more mine with each passing day. It’s slow….but steady, and it gives me renewed hope.
Some of you won’t understand this, because your faith hasn’t yet been stretched to its limits due to loss or tragedy (and I pray it never is!) but there are some of you who know all too well what I’m talking about. You’re living it now, and it’s with you in mind that I’m sharing this song by Kari Jobe.
Know that no matter how dark it seems….no matter what it looks like or feels like, even if we aren’t sure what we believe any more…..Jesus still chooses us. He so patiently waits with us. He sees us. He fills us, and he won’t forsake us in our weaknesses. I love the lyric that says, “And I know that You have come now even if to write upon my heart to remind me who You are.”
He’s writing on our hearts, friends, to remind us not of who WE are, but who HE is….and that he chooses us. <3
You Are For Me
Kari Jobe
So constant
So loving and so true
So powerful in all You doYou fill me
You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to YouI know that You are for me
I know that You are for me
I know that You will never
Forsake me in my weakness
And I know that You have come now
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who You are
So patient
So gracious
So merciful and true
So wonderful in all You do
You fill me
You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to You
Lord, I know that You are for me
I know that You are for me
I know that You will never
Forsake me in my weakness
And I know that You have come now
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me that…
I know that You are for me
I know that You are for me
I know that You will never
Forsake me in my weakness
And I know that You have come now
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who You are
You remind me
I know that You are for me
I know that You are for me
I know that You will never
Forsake me in my weakness
And I know that You have come now
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who You are