Chosen

Do you ever sit back and consider why it is that you do what you do? There are days that I still marvel that I am in Portugal. How did I get here? Just today I met with our ladies ministry group and the very same phrase was repeated over and over, “amazed how we got here.” For most of us in this life group Portugal was not on the foreseeable horizon. “We didn’t pick Portugal either!” was repeated several times as we shared during our Zoom morning get together. As we introduced the topic of the Proverbs 31 woman, we realized that while we are a very diverse group internationally, we have much in common. Whether we come from a city of 3 million or we grew up on a small farm, whether we live in a country away from family and friends, or our family or friends live across the street, we all experienced how God has miraculously chosen to come alongside and invite us, mere humans, to join him in his work of sharing the story of his saving love and grace. We were all encouraged that even when we fail, or our faith falters, our God is forever faithful.

While I can’t quite comprehend it, the God of the universe is in the business of inviting people into his work. He certainly doesn’t need us. His work would be much more efficient if he didn’t use us, but he asks us to join him in His kingdom work. In John 20:21 Jesus appears to the disciples and in an intimate conversation states “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 

“I am sending you.”  This incredible truth helps us see the loving goodness of our Heavenly Father who wants to work alongside us. In a world broken by sin, God the Father still reaches out and asks us to walk in the Garden, to work with, and commune with him. The tasks that he sends us to do might not look or feel like a garden, long hours of motherhood, difficult situations at work, but the opportunity for sweet fellowship with our Father is still there. You see, originally, work “in the garden” was a blessing, and included intimate time of fellowship with the Father.

Throughout the Bible we find that even after the fall from perfect fellowship, God still chose, and chooses today to send people. In Exodus 10:1  we find that God sent a reluctant Moses back to Egypt to lead the Israelites from bondage.  Moses was sure that he did not have the skills to do the job that God was calling him to do.  Exod. 4:10 “But Moses said to the LORD, ‘O my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” In Judges chapter 6 we find Gideon hiding in the winepress when God calls him to leadership against the oppression of the Midianites. Gideon questions this calling, stating that he is the least of his fathers’ house, vs 16 “And the LORD said to him, ‘But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” In 1 Samuel 16 We find Samuel sent to anoint a king from among the sons of Jesse. The seven older sons were not chosen, and Jesse was told to send for his youngest who was not even invited to the sacrifice, but was instead out tending the sheep.  Vs 12b  “Arise, anoint him, for this is he. 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward.”

I share these examples to highlight that God does not choose the most experienced, the bravest, most worthy, talented, or eloquent of speech. If he did I most certainly would not be here! Instead, in his grace, he allows us, slow and fearful, unsteady and imperfect, messy and bungling to come alongside. If we are willing, he guides, rebukes, corrects, and redirects our paths. He works in us and through us in spite of our failures. Our hope and courage come from the fact that we have a loving Father who is tender and patient and who saves us from our sins. And as only a loving parent can, because of his great love toward us, he invites us to be a part of his plan. 

Not only does he invite us, He waits for us. Gideon needed assurance. Judges 6:16 “And the LORD said to him, “But I will be with you….”  vs 18 b. “And he said, “I will stay till you return.” I thank God that because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, I don’t have to worry that God’s presence will not stay with me. As believers his Holy Spirit resides in us. No longer a brick and mortar temple, but a temple of our own heart of flesh can invite God’s Spirit to live and work through us when we admit that we daily fall short of his perfection and glory. To me, this is part of the mystery of the gospel, that our perfect sinless Heavenly Father would choose to reach out and invite us to join him in his work. Only a Father’s Love can see such possibilities.

While we fall short, be encouraged. Proverbs 31 is confirmation that God has many roles for us throughout our lives, and we will not be expected to do all at the same time. Instead we need to remember that right now this is where he has planted you. Tomorrow he might want us somewhere else, encouraging and working alongside someone else. But today, our work is to bloom where we are planted.

Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen”

Dear Father, When we consider your great love for us, we realize how unworthy we are, but we praise you that you still reach out to us, patiently waiting for us to return to you. Thank you that we are your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which you prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:10)  Thank you that when we admit our weakness, you show your strength. (2 Cor. 12:10) Open our eyes Lord and show us how we might reach out to others in your name. Show us who we can encourage, who we can lift up, who we can come alongside and help. May we do so out of our love and gratitude for you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

Unworthy but thankful beyond words, 

Linda