Holidays

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The more I study God’s Word, the more amazed that I am on the grace, love, and esteem He has lavishly poured out on me. In the past few weeks, I have done extensive study and journaling on what my friend, Pastor Roger Bennett, calls “God-esteem.” God called me. Think of that. You are not an unknown in a faceless crowd. God with all He is and all He created knows little old me by name! The Lord chose me. How wonderful it is to be chosen and recognized by people! A baseball player is recognized for his talent and ability to play ball and is chosen to play major league baseball and is paid millions. An employer looks over a resume and sees outstanding qualifications and achievements and extends a contract for employment. A church hears a preacher preach the stars out of heaven and sees his impressive pedigree. He is appointed or called to that church, and they say, “We’ve got us a good one.”

The call of God and His choice of you and me is the greatest call of all. To be chosen by Him is far greater than all of the position, power, and prestige anyone or any organization can bestow.
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Being chosen by God is different. We bring nothing to the table – no advanced degrees, no great achievements, no ability, and no family prominence (1 Corinthians 1:26-27).

God chooses us because He loves us. He demonstrated that love on the cross once and for all. He gives us His grace and mercy – all these gifts from God – undeserved and unmerited by anything we are or do.

And in His choice of choosing, He chose to allow us to be witnesses of the resurrection of Christ. We experience His resurrection power over death, hell, sin, and the grave. “And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when he raised Him from the dead” Ephesians 1:19-20 NIV).

This is the grace of Easter – being chosen to witness the resurrection of Christ not seen by all people. Rejoice, be grateful, and be amazed. He chose you! He chose me! “He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen-- by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead” (Acts 10:41 NIV.

At the table, we eat His body and drink His blood. Not only is He present with us, but He serves Himself and makes us His people, His chosen, and His beloved. Wow!

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