November 4, 2024 Reclaiming Our Chosenness
Monday, November 4, 2024
Reclaim Our Chosenness
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10, ESV
When it came to playing sports, I was always among the last to be chosen. When I tried out for the drill team – again I was left off the list of who they selected to march onto the game field. Despite my desire, effort, and extensive practice, the coordination, strength, and sense of rhythm needed to perform in these areas simply did not exist. And yet…
We are God’s handiwork. Each of us is His unique masterpiece created in His image.
If we own that identity and believe that we are God’s masterpieces and that He sees us through loving eyes, then we no longer need to work for God’s approval. Accepted in Christ, we work from His approval as His creation, to do the good works He prepared in advance for us to do.
If honest, we will face moments every day in which we need to remind ourselves of this truth. Moments when we’re on top can cause our focus on glorifying God to blur against the world’s accolades. Or in moments when we compare or fail and begin to feel less than…
Dutch priest and author Henri Nouwen really resonated with me when he wrote:
The greatest spiritual battle begins—and never ends—with the reclaiming of our chosenness. Long before any human being saw us, we are seen by God’s loving eyes. Long before anyone heard us cry or laugh, we are heard by our God who is all ears for us. Long before any person spoke to us in this world, we are spoken to by the voice of eternal love.
Each of us is God’s creation, His handiwork. His chosen masterpiece, seen, heard, and spoken to with His eternal love. Today let’s claim or reclaim our chosenness.
Reflect: In moments of self-doubt or pride, how can you remind yourself that you are God’s masterpiece, created and loved by Him, not for what you do but for who you are in Christ?
Pray: Lord, help me to embrace the truth that I am Your beloved creation, chosen and cherished by You. Let me live not for the approval of others but from the assurance of Your love, fulfilling the good works You have prepared for me. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.
By His Grace,
Gloria Ashby
Lay Leader