I was reading in John 15 this week and the verse that says, "You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you." seemed to jump out at me. I have thought on this verse many times this week. When I was a new Christian, I used to think that I chose Christ. I chose the path I would follow. I chose whether I would stay with my old friends or find new Christian friends. I used to think it was all my doing. Sure, Christ saved me...but I chose Him, and I chose the path I would follow. Here I am 17 years later, and my thinking has really changed.
It was God who chose me.
I began to think "Well, I wonder when He chose me?" Was it when I was a girl, and scared and alone? Did God see a girl riding a bus to Sunday School and decide then, "I choose HER"? Did He choose me when I would pray to Him; not even knowing who He was, but believing He was there?
No. He chose me before the foundation of the world. He wanted me all along. What a difference this makes in all of my thinking!
He orchestrated my life to give me an opportunity somehow, someway...to meet Him. He led my life down through valleys and up on the mountains, so I would see Him. He is in love with me, and will never leave me nor forsake me. What an awesome God!
I am amazed at how good He was to lead us here to Belize. To a needy people. A people uneducated on the ways of God. I have met Christians, who also have beliefs in the ways of witchcraft! Such confusion boggles the mind.
I am amazed that He led us here to work with the Leonard Family. It is so nice to be able to have friends to labor with. It is such a blessing to be able to invite friends over for pizza, or to go shopping together. The Lord sent the disciples out two by two, yet so many times missionaries go out alone. I am so thankful God led us to come here, to labor with someone. It seems when frustrating times come, that just being able to carry the load together, makes it so much lighter.
If God chose me, long ago...and He has led my life thus far, why would He stop now? I have often told my husband that after nearly 13 years of marriage, knowing what I know now...if I had to do it all over again, I would still choose him. I think that's how God feels about me. He has not given up on me, nor will He ever. He chose me. If he had to do it all over, knowing now what he knows...He would still choose me.
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I am glad God chose you so I could have the opportunity to call you my friend. Isnt that selfish? Your family is unique and doing what others only think about doing...I am glad He is using you in Belize and has given you friends to work with.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder that God chose me
way back when I was a little scared girl to give me His Love; Mercy and strength. Its not me but His plans I do not know. I am so thankful...
love you friend, nancy
What an awesome thought, Amy. And how neat that God lets you serve with friends. A huge blessing!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you this morning and praying for you my friend as I was outside killing the ants on my patio. I thought quickly of your ant story and all you told...and how these were just
ReplyDeleteso small compared to what you go through...
I also thought of you yesterday....when walking to my seat at the baseball game In fact, I was
chatting about you to a sweet lady who sat where you sat ( she had a stroke this past year) and how real you are about life yet Praise God. She has had struggles and yet praises but then she whispered to me "Its so hard"...I said Yes! It has been very hard for
you (her) to come back from a stroke and now care for her sweet family.
You left goodness where you sat and bring goodness where you are now...
love, nancy