I Choose You

A couple of years ago, we bought a house with property and inherited two large dogs. We were given a choice of whether we wanted the dogs or not, but when the previous owner told us she would have to take them to the shelter if we did not want them, our heart strings were tugged and wholeheartedly adopted them into our family.

After caring for them for a while, we noticed something about these dogs. They had what we affectionately labeled as: an Orphan Spirit. Our dogs had not been tended to or cared for very well at all, so when we got them and cared for them and loved them… they did not know how to act! It took some time for them to trust us and understand that we were their forever owners and that they would never be mistreated, abused or ignored again.

But even after two years, when we drive up to our house, they still act as if they have never had any attention or love in their lives. They still behave as the “orphaned” dogs they had grown up being, regardless of the fact that the past couple of years they have been living their best lives ever!

I began thinking, every time I stop what I am doing to pet, tend to, and love these dogs, “How often do we as believers act the same way?”  

Before we accepted Christ, we too were the “orphaned” ones, desperately seeking the love and attention from anyone who would give it to us. For some, you have suffered abuse and neglect from those closest to you.  

For others, the pain of rejection, abandonment and lack of love has cut very deep into your heart through your search for real love.

But once we have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives, we are no longer orphans. We are no longer rejected, unloved, neglected or abandoned. We no longer walk with an “orphan spirit” because we have been adopted into God’s family!

Ephesians 1: 4-5 (NLT) states this clearly: “Even before He made the world, God loved us and CHOSE us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. God decided in advance to ADOPT us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ.”

WOW! What joy and comfort that should bring to our hearts!

Jesus even told us this: “You didn’t choose Me. I CHOSE YOU.” (John 15: 16 NLT)

We think that we are the ones who chose God, but in reality, GOD CHOSE US! He wanted us to be a part of His family, so that He could tend to, cherish, care for, and lavish His love over us!

When we know and believe that we are CHOSEN by God to be His sons and daughters, we should live, act, talk, walk differently from when we still were “orphaned” and lost.

Are you living like you are a child of the Most High God?

If not, why not? You have been CHOSEN before the creation of time to be His sons and daughters. You are no longer abandoned, rejected or cast away.

YOU ARE GOD’S CHOSEN ONES!

Now start living your lives like you believe that!