164. Chosen by God.

"You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit ..." (John 15:16) Unlike other careers that we choose for ourselves, we can't choose to be at the Lord's service. Ofcourse, there are those who have taken it up as a profession to earn a living but the ones who have been called by God, consider the Lord's work, as their mission in life. God's choice baffles us because it is against the norms that we follow. Who else but God would choose 'the foolish over the wise, the weak over the strong and the poor over the rich' (1 Corinthians 1:27-28), because he is able to bring out their hidden potential and they would readily acknowledge that it is the grace of God that is at work in them. Who else but God would recruit a man from the opposition to spearhead his work! "This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel." (Acts 9:15) And Paul would later go on to state that 'by the grace of God, I am what I am and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them - yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.' (1 Corinthians 15:10) Throughout the Bible, we see God using cast-off material and with that, he does great things to show the world that the glory is His and His alone! Israel was not chosen because they were the most capable people nor the most 'naturally good'. He chose a small, weak slave tribe, uncultured and with a short memory for his kindness to them, to establish his kingdom on earth. We too were chosen not because we merited it but because he favoured us. What else can explain the rationale behind his choice of us? God is not looking for those who can showcase their talent on stage but for those who can reveal his glory to the world. Infact, our inabilities qualifies us for the task! Moses said to the Lord, "I have never been eloquent ... I am slow of speech and tongue." The Lord said to him, "... Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (Exodus 4:10 -12) Moses thought God made a mistake in choosing him but God did not because Moses went on to become one of history's most decisive and powerful leaders! We too were chosen by God to become history makers. Amen.