Chosen

written by Dakotapam on January 22, 2013 in 2013 Faith Focus with 3 comments

Earlier this month I wrote that instead of choosing a word to focus on for the year, or instead of setting an unattainable resolution, I am choosing to focus on a certain Bible passage. I chose to focus on Colossians 3:12-17.

Or, more appropriately, the passage was chosen for me.

I’ve learned this passage by heart, about 13 years ago, when Dakotateen was a tiny tot. I learned the verses from a different Bible translation, and I learned them to cute, childish tunes. I learned the verses in order to teach my children. Really, what better way to remind your child to obey than to sing “Children obey, your parents in everything. Children obey, ’cause this pleases the Lord”? In other words, I made quite an effort to imprint the Word of God on my childrens’ hearts, but may have let the message go, when it applied to my life.

A few weeks ago, this passage was the epistle reading at church, and I instantly heard the music pop up in my head. . .but then I also began to hear the words anew. . .and then I knew that I needed to spend some time focusing once again on this wise counsel.

So, once a week or so, I plan on taking a phrase from this passage and reflecting. Keep in mind that I am no theologian. I’m merely married to the pastor! My heart still questions, sin still plants seeds of doubt, and I need constant reminders of God’s grace.

Today I want to focus on the phrase “as God’s chosen ones.”

I don’t know about you, but I spent much of my childhood not being chosen. I was not a particularly athletic or outgoing child, so in gym class, I was often chosen last. I auditioned for many plays, but was never chosen for the lead. I was never chosen as class president. I was not chosen as the captain of my swim team. I spent much of my childhood and teen years feeling invisible.

As I grew older, things began to look up. Several colleges chose to accept me (or choose me) out of a pool of applicants. I was chosen to be part of a sorority, I was chosen to lead the college radio station. Eventually, Dakotapastor chose me to be his wife. All of these were good things.

However, long before I was even born, God chose me.

He chose me to be his adopted child.

He chose to send his Son to redeem the sins I had yet to commit.

We read in 1 Peter:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
(1 Peter 2:9 ESV)

That God chose me to be his, eases the discomfort of all the times that I was not chosen by people of this world.

Knowing that God chose me changes everything.

What comfort does being chosen by God offer you?

tags: 2013 focus chosen Colossians 3:12 faith

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