Pick Me

Remember when you were a kid and you played outside ALL OF THE TIME?

Remember when you were in school and you had P.E. and recess EVERY SINGLE DAY?

Remember when, during those times of playing outside, you played a game called "Red Rover" and your friends, while holding hands to make a human chain, would call your name asking you to "come over"?

Remember when, during all the other outside games you played, as teams were choosing sides and teammates, you secretly begged in your heart "PICK ME! PICK ME!"?

I was among the fortunate ones who always got picked and most of the time, picked first. But I do remember the faces of the ones who were picked last, or even not picked at all. Faces of disappointment, hurt, embarrassment and rejection.

        All because their friends did not pick them. All because they were not chosen.

It's an awful feeling not to be chosen.  Outside of the playground childhood games, there have been many times in my life where I wasn't picked...I wasn't chosen. And it hurt...terribly.

There have even been times in my life where I wondered if God had truly picked me. Times of insignificance and insecurity, times of rejection and heartache and times of questioning everything you had ever believed about God and His ways. Wondering if what He had spoken about you was true or not.

"God, did you really pick me? Did you really know what you were doing when you asked me to follow you and work for you?  Do you really know what a mess I can be at times?"

       But secretly in my own heart, I desperately wanted God to pick me.

During seasons when these questions ring in my ears, there's a verse in the book of John that brings me great comfort and encouragement. Many years ago, during a time of great battle within my own heart and mind, I read a verse that changed everything for me. In John 15, Jesus is speaking to His disciples, giving them His final instructions before His soon coming arrest and crucifixion. After speaking about the Vine and the branches, (some of my favorite verses EVER!) Jesus says this in verse 16, "You did not choose me, but I CHOSE YOU and appointed you to go and bear fruit..."

      We didn't choose Jesus but Jesus chose us!

Like a child standing on the playground, secretly hoping someone will pick us, Jesus points at you and me and says, "I CHOOSE YOU!" You look around to make sure He's pointing at you, and that He hasn't made some awful mistake. But He continues to call your name and say, "I CHOOSE YOU!"

He knows your weaknesses, your mistakes, your past, your insecurities, your failures, your defeats, your rejection, your broken heart, your insignificance, your sins, but Jesus still chooses you anyway.

Jesus NEVER, EVER leaves someone standing on that playground unpicked or unchosen. He wants you on His team!

So what is it that you're wrestling with today?  What is it that you feel like you should step out in faith on? What is it you need to say 'yes' to? What is it that you should give a try, not certain if you'll succeed or not?

     YOU DIDN'T CHOOSE HIM...HE CHOOSE YOU!!

So even if you weren't chosen on that playground so many years ago, there's a team that Jesus is begging you to be on, and it's HIS TEAM to help build HIS kingdom!! You belong on that team. You're needed on that team. You will be celebrated on that team.

He's picking a team who will help build the church that the "gates of hell will not prevail".  HE CHOSE YOU!!

All you have to do is answer "Yes!" and "come on over" for the greatest adventure of your life! Are you ready?