Have you ever had one of those mornings? Nothing truly catastrophic had happened, but minor irritation followed minor irritation and by 9:15, I felt like I was teetering on the brink. Sound familiar?
Yesterday morning was one of those for me. Driving to work, though, I was struck by something that was said in a prayer podcast I was listening to. It was on an app called Pray As You Go (highly recommend, by the way!). Here’s what was said…
Ego vos elegi — “I have chosen you out of the world, so that you might go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last.” As I listen to this chant, I remind myself that God calls me, calls me by my name. However unsuitable or unworthy I may think I am, God has chosen me.”
So there I was, driving along Veteran’s Parkway and it was like God tapped me on the shoulder and said, You’re listening to this, right?
We Are CHOSEN!
As I drove along, my brain was spinning — you, me, all of us! God has chosen each and every one of us to be exactly where we are. We can’t be unsuitable, insignificant, or unworthy if we are where God, in His wisdom, has placed us!
Certainly, at times, we feel that the call is too big, too much for us. We wonder if God actually knew what He was doing when he asked us to do this thing or that. Maybe we feel that there is no way on earth we can accomplish the task or live the life set before us. And you know what? If we tried to do it all on our own, we’d be right.
Because here’s the thing. I think that God likes to push us, to stretch us a bit. And maybe He places us in times or situations that are trying just so we will turn to Him!
I’m a mom, right? How many times have I led my child to try something new that maybe they don’t quite think they’re ready for, but I know they are? Those first few unassisted steps…pedaling a two-wheeler down the street…sending them off to school or camp or in the car all by themselves! All the while, having prepared them and taught them, continuing to support them with encouragement and love.
If we can do that for our children, what monumental things can God have in store to lead us through? Because there is nothing He will lead us to that He lacks the grace, strength, wisdom, and good gifts to give us if we only ask.
Answering the Call
Just like the sleeping child Samuel who kept thinking that it was his teacher who called his name (1 Samuel 3:1-10), sometimes we get confused by our own calling from the Lord. We think it can’t really be Him. He can’t really be choosing me. But that is when, like Eli told Samuel, we need to pause and pray. Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.
We are each called to such great things. And I don’t mean were called to be President or Pope or cure cancer or anything like that. We are called to LOVE. I have been chosen to live in this place, in this time for a reason and so have you.
I was chosen to be Greg’s wife, my children’s mother, my parents’ daughter. Chosen to teach these particular students, sing for this particular parish. And with God’s grace I will answer the call to live this life He has seen fit to give me to the absolute fullest.
Now, what has He called you to, friend? What tasks and titles has He chosen for you? Are you ready to answer? Are you ready to be chosen?
