I Am…
I read these words walking on campus as I walked along the front sidewalk by the student union, better known as free speech alley.
One of the campus ministry groups had a big chalk board with these words written on the top. I didn’t write it on the board because I was rushing to class but all I could think was if were to write, I would write chosen.
I Am Chosen.
Let’s unpack this…
One of my favorite verses in the bible is Romans 8:28- 30
And we know that all things work together for the good of them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image if his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Every time I read this verse everything in my life just kind of falls into perspective. It reminds me that every part of my life that has happened up until this point, and every event that plays out in history has a purpose. God has called every person on this planet including the 45th president of these United States. God has chosen him to be exactly where he is at this very moment. This fact alone gives me the peace I need to know that regardless of my opinion on our president be it for him or against, it doesn’t matter because my God is greater than my opinion and the opinions of the masses.
A few weeks ago, the church I grew up in, St. John AME in New Orleans, celebrated its 162nd anniversary. The pastor who preached for the program spoke from the subject “A Chosen Church.” The scripture he used was from Isaiah 43:18 -19
He talked about how a chosen church has vision to see beyond the natural and commitment to living for God alone.
He talked about how with longevity there should be some change. A church doesn’t last as long as this one has without some changes that occur with time.
While I know he was talking about the church, a lot of what he said spoke to me on a personal level. I have been on this walk with my Abba for 20+ years now and with every new level he brings me to I have seen a lot of changes occur in myself and they have not all been easy. The biggest and probably most important lesson I have learned so far has been trust. You must be confident in the God you serve to be comfortable following him into a new stage.
Can you trust God when you have no idea what He is doing? When you know he wants you to do something but you don’t know where or how to start? When you begin to feel like maybe you heard Him wrong because nothing seems to be going right?
When every time you turn on the news there is another black man being killed or there is another mass shooting, this one bigger than the last? Can you trust him when articles in today’s news looks like the news articles from your history books (see Charlottesville, VA. 2017)? Or when the leader of your country seems to agree with the idea that making America great again means going back to a time where not all men were created equal?
I have learned that this comes with the territory of being chosen.
To whom much is given, much is required. (Luke 12:48)
Isaiah 43:19 says, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”
Out of all the promises that God has made this is one of my all-time favorites because he is reminding me that when he chose me he did something new. He didn’t look at someone else and say I want her calling to be like theirs, He fashioned my calling to fit me perfectly and in the midst of my storms I can still smile and walk in the assurance that I am chosen and fashioned by HIM.
So, no matter what you are feeling today whether you are on top of the world or the world is on top of you, God is running, walking, crawling, crying, praying… for you and right along with you. Just like He chose me He also chose you. He won’t ever leave your side.
And when you think He has because He is quiet just keep in mind that the teacher is always silent during a test.
Let’s pass it together.
Song List
- Hills and Valleys by Tauren Wells
- Known by Tauren Wells
- How He loves by David Crowder Band
- I’ll find You by Lecrae feat Tori Kelly
- Blessings by Lecrae Feat Ty Dolla $ign
