Chosen.

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be chosen. In this world we live in, there are so many arenas that we can be "chosen" or "rejected" in. Growing up, there was so much anxiety surrounding whether or not I would be chosen early for the kickball or "Red Rover" team in gym class. It felt so good to be chosen early on; as if that meant I was important or well-liked. Each day, there are opportunities to be chosen or rejected. We can be chosen for little things, such as a gym class or sports team growing up. We can also be chosen for (what seem like) greater things, such as a promotion, or even chosen by someone to be their spouse. If you think about it, it really is all the same. What we are looking for is to be told that we are "up to par"; that we matter. While there is nothing wrong with feeling happiness when God brings new seasons or chances into our lives, what happens when we are not chosen; when we are rejected? This morning, God seems to be reminding me, reminding us, that we are unconditional chosen by Him. 1 Peter 2:9 remind us that,  "we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God". But chosen for what? Chosen to serve. Chosen to love. Chosen to share. Chosen to show compassion. And ultimately, chosen to follow Him no matter the cost. What is beyond comforting is that no matter what we do or have done, our "chosenness" does not depend on ourselves, but on Him. (John 15:16-19). So today, rest assured that whether or not your boss chose you for the promotion; whether or not that group of people you so want to be friends with chose to invite you to the party, you are unconditionally and eternally CHOSEN by the One who will never reject you.