To Be Hand-Picked vs Heart-Chosen
As a child, I was often the kid picked last as we formed teams for dodgeball or kickball. I was short (really tiny), but loud. Though I was short, I wasn’t a person you’d overlook. I could be loud and passionate depending on what was at stake. While I’m no longer tiny, I’d still be considered short, and I can definitely be loud. I’ve perfected the loud thing—yeah, I’ve got that down.
I don’t remember being particularly traumatized for being picked last or next to last. Like many other kids, I wanted to be picked first and embrace feeling special because of it. I wasn’t particularly athletic, and there was nothing that stood out about me. Still, I wanted to be picked first…or at least early in the process. Being picked first or early is important to everyone. It makes us feel wanted, valued, and special.
Each of us wants to feel special. We want to be chosen. We want to be known. Unfortunately, in our effort to feel special, we often use external criteria to ascribe value and worth to ourselves. Those criteria may be rooted in false narratives, outward appearances, or the standards others create for us. In the end, we can feel inadequate, marginalized, dismissed, and unknown.
To Not Be Chosen
Years ago, my best friend, Rhonda, shared a story about a trend she frequently experiences in her life. Whenever she would register for an event, sign up on a list, or enroll in something, she always seemed to get overlooked in some way. For example, she registered for a workshop that promised a gift for early registration. Somehow, however, they ran out of the coveted items before she received her free gift. She attended a conference, and there was no name tag for her. At one conference, she was a keynote speaker and the recording system failed when it was her turn to step up the microphone.
Rhonda’s been my friend for years, and I’ve known her for over half of her life. As you might imagine, we’ve had a
Rhonda’s visit for one of my birthdays
few conversations over the years regarding this strange trend in her life—this pattern of being left out or overlooked. Frankly, the tendency baffles both of us as we occassionally reflect on it. While she has experienced tragic loss and disappointment in other ways as well—like many of us—we see God fill her life with some incredible blessings, too.
One day it occurred to me to share an insight I noticed over all of those the years. Despite the fact she’s often overlooked in registrations, giveaways, and other situations; she has never been overlooked by God. I reminded her God seems intent on showcasing her gifting and service in His Kingdom. She’s been granted favor to speak into the lives of many people who find her a credible, faithful, and loving servant of Christ. Her pastor often consults with her and her husband on issues impacting their church. Most people who know her find her gracious, thoughtful, and beautiful.
Her situation highlights a very important beauty secret: It’s okay if no one else picks you—God has already chosen you.He chose you not because He had to choose you but because He wanted YOU.
Chosen by God
We should remind ourselves often that we are known and chosen by God. In a cultural atmosphere where the rules seem to change every day, remember that God has chosen you. It’s better than being picked for something. We are chosen. Scripture informs us that as believers in Christ, we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9). As the apple of God’s eye, we are a people called out (and up) to bring Him glory as our lights shine before others (Matthew 5:16).
May I encourage you to celebrate the truth that all of what God has done in Christ Jesus was done in order to choose you? You weren’t something that came with the deal—you are the deal! You can be empowered by His love and grace to move forward even when others don’t pick you or they choose to overlook you.
So…Choose Yourself
Don’t wait around for others to pick you or say you’re good enough. Frankly, you run the risk of never being picked by them. You’ll sit on the sidelines and wait for others to pull you into the game of life—waiting to be drafted and hoping to be their MVP. God has already made you His MVP—most valuable promise. He’s redeemed you from the power of sin and death, has given you eternal life, and grants you the privilege of His continual presence.
There are and will be many situations in life where we aren’t picked by others, we’re overlooked, or we are dismissed. Maybe we didn’t get hired for a job or selected for a promotion. Maybe the person we wanted to love has chosen not to love us. The truth is rejection can rock our world—it makes us feel fragile and inadequate. They are moments when people, the prevailing culture, or the enemy of soul sends a clear message we are not wanted, needed, or valued.
To be chosen matters. As God’s chosen, you must choose yourself, too. It matters that you do.
It matters to your heart.
It matters to your mind.
It matters to your identity.
Not only does being chosen matter. It also matters by whom you are chosen and the significance you ascribe to the chooser. God is honorable and faithful. He is loving and kind. And He has chosen to lavish His love on you.
Be encouraged Beautiful. The God of the universe and Savior of the world sees you as treasured, adored, and chosen. Please don’t let anyone or any lie convince you otherwise—even when it happens to be you.
Stay close to Him and live beautiful!
Marvita
Special thanks for additional photography 📸 by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
This article give someone to think about and take to heart. Its a good reminder that we are “chosen” and not selected by default…
This article allowed me to see that God chose ME to have my gift.
I was so intrigued by this blog and for days I have been pondering over it. It took me back to my child hood days when I also was never picked first for anything; nor chosen. I remember my older sister was good at everything and I admired her. She was so good to the point that she always received ribbons. certificates, and trophies. However, I on the other hand always felt that I was not deserving or good enough to achieve anything. My parents would often times teasingly ask me, “where are your trophies, ribbons, or certificates?” Sarcastically I would reply, “I’M TOO GOOD FOR TROPHIES AND RIBBONS” When in actuality I never really applied myself or felt deserving; due to being traumatized by my upbringing. I was born into a home where my dad was a heroin addicted and my mom was usually a single parent mom. My siblings and I were raised in a constant belittling, hatred, anger, and fear type of atmosphere. This caused me to have vey low self esteem, and I SWORE that I’d never become a drug addict. Little did I realize that you’re told, ” don’t do as I do….do as I say!” Yet kids don’t do what you say but instead they do what they see YOU do. Not soon after I became a drug addicted as well and my life went down hill. I found myself 16 years old shooting drugs, robbing, stealing. prostituting, and jail and prison was like a “revolving door”. But in 1991, I learned how God hand picked me and chose me, and how he actually had an APB (all points bulletin) out for me. When no one else thought to choose me or to pick me, God was searching just for me. February the 3rd made 30 years that God has transformed my life and kept me through His unfailing love for me. It’s exactly why my husband and I started a ministry called, Valuable Treasures; which reaches those who often feel rejected by society due to various life circumstances. Thank you Marvita for sharing your story with us and for reminding me again of just how valuable I am to the one who matters most, God!
Angela, thank you for your testimony and courage. What a beautiful image of God’s grace and faithfulness you are. I pray you’ll find courage everyday to continue the ministry the Lord has granted you and your husband. All the best as you stay close to Him and live beautiful!