Chosen For A Purpose!

Chosen For a Purpose!

There was a shy boy who was standing in a corner even as the Sunday school teachers were assigning roles in the Christmas nativity play to the various children. This little boy has always been given the role of the multitude of angels or the group of shepherds.  Nobody thought of his talents much and he was never in the limelight.  They could not find the right match for the role of ‘Joseph’.  One of the teachers looked up and then said, “why not we try this shy boy by giving him an opportunity”.  He was chosen to play the role of ‘Joseph’ and his joy knew no bounds.  He did his best on the final day and everyone appreciated him and wondered where he was all these days.

The feeling of being chosen from among many competitors is different.  Whether in school or at a work place – being chosen for a role makes us feel very special.  The people of Israel were chosen not because they were numerous or they were the fewest of all peoples.  But it was out of God’s love that he chose them as His own people, redeeming them from slavery and blessing them (Deut 7:6-9).  God chose the Israelites that they will be a holy people and priests for the nations. Jesus when he was talking to his disciples said that he had chosen them so that they will go and bear fruit that will last (Jn 15:16)

Later Peter the apostle in his letter to the early Christian believers who were scattered due to persecution encourages them by saying that they are a chosen people and God’s special possession (1 Pet 2:9).  In a world where it is not easy to live out our faith and stand out, the only encouragement is to know that we are a ‘chosen people’.   Wherever we are we can live a life that is counter culture to our society and show that we are the ‘chosen people’. 

Jesus warns that because we are chosen and entrusted with much responsibility, much more will be asked of us (Lk 12:47-48).  God told the Israelites through Amos that even though they enjoyed the privilege of being chosen, they will not escape the punishment for their disobedience (Am 3:2).  As the chosen people of God we are called to live a life of holiness in obedience to Christ.  This is the purpose of our being chosen. This is what will bear fruit – fruit that will last.

Let us pray for one another that we as God’s chosen people will live holy lives and bear fruit for His glory!                                                        John Amalraj