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You Are Chosen
July 5, 2023
by Meghan Mellinger

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you.” John 15:16a-b (NLT)

Thirteen-year-old me wasn’t a fan of gym class for a few reasons: I was an artist, not an athlete, and I was always picked last for any team sport.  Fast-forward a few years, and I’d still rather draw a ball than kick one. But rejection and I have become close friends, and my disappointment résumé is full of line items:

    My crush asking another girl out on a date instead of me.
    Seeing my friends post on social media about an event I didn’t get invited to.
    Not winning sweepstakes for my own private island in the Caribbean.

It’s a lot easier to think of the times I haven’t been chosen than the times I have been.  We all desperately desire to be chosen because it means someone truly and fully sees us. The real, unfiltered versions of ourselves. On the good days when we’re well fed, rested and have adequate sunlight and on the not-so-good days during rush-hour traffic when we use words and hand gestures our grandmas wouldn’t approve of.  No matter how old we are, sometimes we’re still that awkward kid with braces who shouldn’t have cut her own bangs, waiting and wishing in that gymnasium for those magical words: “I choose you.”

We want to be the one selected, preferred and hand-picked for a reason.  I wonder how Jesus’ disciples felt when He said these powerful words to them in John 15:16a-b: “You didn’t choose me. I chose you.”

Our perfect Savior picked some of the most imperfect people to be a part of His team: a doubter (Thomas), a hothead (Peter), and a guy who had a full-time job profiting off of his own people (Matthew). Most came from lowly, insignificant lives. They weren’t the richest or most important. They were often overlooked. They were flawed, unrefined and unqualified.  I’m sure they didn’t feel like the best or most appropriate choice. Yet Jesus saw them fully and chose them anyway.  And together, with Him, they changed the world.mmAs a perfectionist, I feel like this seems too good to be true. But as a human being, I know it’s a sigh of relief.  God doesn't choose perfect people: He just wants us to come as we are.  Every imperfect inch and pound of us, every thought and action.  The real challenge is quieting the doubts and lies in our minds long enough to hear and receive those three affirming words: “I chose you” (John 15:16b).

Jesus is calling you to be a part of a greater team than the eighth-grade elite dodgeball squad.  You have not been overlooked; you are fully seen by our all-knowing God. Your brokenness, imperfections and failures have not disqualified you from His purpose for you.  Disappointments and rejection will be a part of earthly life, but your unconditional worth in Jesus will never change.  Today, you may feel undeserving and inadequate. You may feel you’re trying too hard or not trying hard enough. But today, you are fully seen and known. And today, just like yesterday, our God is in the habit of using imperfect people for His perfect plan. So come close and listen to His words:  “I choose you.”

Dourreleerync is celebrating today!

Merry Meet.

I hope any other Pagans here on the forum enjoy their Beltane celebrations today!

Merry Part,
Until we Merry Meet again!

Belated  Hanny

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While You Wait
June 30, 2023
by Tracie Braylock

“I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” Psalm 130‬:5‬ (NIV)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

The phone hanging on the waiting-room wall is used by families to call into the operating room, acting as a lifeline for those wanting to know what’s taking place.  As the operating-room nurse, I’d often answer the phone and hear a concerned voice on the other end requesting information about their loved one’s condition.  “Excuse me, doctor, the family would like an update,” I’d say.

Often, the response would be something like, “Everything is proceeding as expected.”

Because of these experiences, I’ve developed a great deal of empathy for those waiting for answers, for those who simply want to know their loved ones are safe and still in good hands.  I’m also keenly aware of the work taking place in the operating room that very few get to witness. The spaces being surgically opened, cleaned out, newly constructed and masterfully stitched back together. The work that relieves pain, mends wounds, makes way for healing, and ensures living this life remains possible.  You see, sometimes, for those on the other end of the phone, the information that everything is proceeding as expected is enough to calm their obvious concern and curiosity. Other times, this answer isn’t enough. The person standing in the waiting room wants more detail, certainty or even a definitive timeline.  Maybe these people have been in the waiting room so long that they've noticed others, who had previously been waiting with them, have left. Others’ prayers seem to have been answered. Others’ operations have already been completed. Others have gotten to move on while they are still waiting and pacing the floor.  My friend, if you find yourself in one of life’s waiting rooms watching and wondering when you’ll get to move on I encourage you to focus your attention on this passage of Scripture: “I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope” (Psalm 130:5).

You don’t have to spend another moment doubting, worrying or pacing the floor. You and your whole being can wait for the Lord as you redirect your attention and put your hope in His Word.  Even though it seems like you’ve been waiting for so long and there’s no end in sight, know that everything is proceeding as He expected. You don’t need the details or a definitive timeline to know that God will keep every promise He has made concerning you and your future. He is opening doors, cleaning out debris, constructing new paths and masterfully stitching together more than you could imagine.  You may not be standing in the operating room of your situation, able to see what’s happening or witness the process firsthand, but you can trust that God is moving on your behalf, and the work is indeed taking place.