Monday, August 14, 2023

He chose me

Just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before him.

Ephesians 1:4-5

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit and that your fruit should remain…

John 15:16

Have you ever been in a situation where you were rejected? An article in Psychology Today describes the impact of rejection. One of the things the article states is that it is easier to recall social pain than physical pain. For example, we probably can't describe our last headache, but we remember when someone said a course work to us. After all, we have a psychological need to belong. When we get rejected, our disconnection fuels more emotional pain and it makes us feel like we do not belong. Rejection can also fuel anger and aggression and can be destructive to our self-esteem.

Though many of us have felt rejection, we serve a God who has chosen us. Ephesians 1:4-5 says that he chose us before the foundation of the world. That means that God chose you, despite your wicked thoughts and sinful ways. Not only that he chose you and already made a way for you to be holy and blameless before him. John 15:16 says that he chose us and appointed us that we would bear fruit.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I have lots of emotional pain related to past rejections. At times, those feelings creep into my present and change the way I see myself. Thank you for reminding me that you chose me, not just to be your child, but to be holy, blameless, and fruit-bearing.