Pick Me.. Pick Me

I Remember back when I was a kid in gym class and did not want to be that last kid chosen for a team? Well I don't like to brag (as I puff out my (almost) 63 year old chest, not my gut it puffs out on it's own) but I was not that kid. I loved sports and was a decent athlete even if the game was dodge-ball I was always a solid pick. Of course if there was a robotics team back then I may have been been that last pick, then placed on the 'my brain hurts' injury reserved list. ​

We can all breath a sigh of relief God does not operate that way. He seems to like the odd ducks, and unlikely picks to be on his team, even LEAD his team. Hmm.. I might even be chosen on God's robotics team. :)

So here is a partial list of those God chose for his team.

Noah was Mr. 'if you build it they will come'. These were the paraphrased words of God from the book of Genesis as 600 year old Noah is chosen to craft an Ark with his 100 year old sons.  And.. not just any Ark, an Ark in the desert.  

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Abraham was a spry 75 years old or so when called by God to pack up the Winnebago (figuratively speaking) and hit the road.   

​So much for the Golden Years.  "I will make you a mighty nation you."  Thus saith the Lord.

A mighty nation?.. Abe and the Mrs. were past the age of having their own kids, so unless God is talking about some 'Mighty Nation' app for his smartphone then he did not know how this was going to happen.

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Moses, the exiled (for murder) prince of Egypt is working in a land far far away as an overqualified sheep tender when God speaks to him from a burning bush.

"Moses .. you and I are going to free the children of Israel."  Ok, mostly I will but do I have a job for you." - Thus saith the Lord.

​I don't know about you, but I would not have chosen a guy on the run for murder who smells like sheep.

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​Speaking of sheep, how about the Shepherd boy chosen by God to slay Golaith, and later becomes king!

A 5'8" 145 lb Junior College linebacker has a better chance trying out for the Chicago Bears than David did in defeating a Giant.

The safe money was all bet on Goliath, but God chose David and that is what mattered.
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Then off to the New Testament..

How about the choosing of who would be the mother of our Savior.  Mary was blessed among woman and obedient to God. Jesus father would be carpenter.  Our Heavenly Father picked Mary and Joseph to be mother and father of Jesus. 

Then we have the choosing of the 12 disciples. Budding theologians they were not.  Jesus chose a bunch of fisherman and a few other rag tag everyday folk to be with him as the Gospel message of salvation was shared.

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​How about that moment when the thief asked Jesus to remember him in Heaven.

"This very day you will be with me in paradise."  were the words spoken by Jesus to the thief on the cross shortly before he died. 

The spiritual resume of this thief from what we know was pretty light, but that is how big God's Grace is.

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Now it's time to choose an Apostle to lead to share the gospel message to the world. Who would God choose #1 in the very first 'Missionary Gospel Draft'? 

The number one pick is Saul of Tarsus.. Saul?  The same Saul who recently could be found attending the stoning of Stephen?  Yep, that Saul.  Yes God chose Saul aka Paul. That is all that mattered.

"Saul why do you persecute me?"  were the blunt words of Jesus from a blinding light while Saul was on the road to Damascus.

"I've got good news and bad news.  First the bad news.. your cushy leader of the Pharisees job is going away.  The good news.. You will be my very first Missionary." - Thus saith the Lord.

 I  may be going out on a limb, but I don't see many literal burning bushes, or blinding lights on my horizon, but I do believe I am chosen and capable.  

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Not that it makes sense based on our relative and limited qualifications, but in fact we are all chosen by our loving Heavenly Father. Chosen not only to be a part of God's Kingdom, but also to serve in big and small ways.  

So do not keep God in a box, and a lid on what is possible with regards to the blessings and opportunities to serve.  

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8

Just like Isaiah, be listening for God's leading in big and small ways, and when God calls on you.. reply "Here am I. pick me! pick me!"

​May God bless and use you in ways that are BEYOND YOUR DREAMS and all that God intends. 

Jeff

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