“I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.” John 13:18

Chosen

When I was in third grade, we had an assignment to alphabetize a series of words. Several of the words began with the same two, three, and even four letters, leaving lots of room for mistakes to be made. I was pretty good at it, so I considered it a fun challenge, and was done with the paper quickly.

But there was a boy in the class who was getting frustrated with all the erasing and re-writing. His paper began to tear because he had made so many changes. He just wasn’t able to look far enough ahead to see what should come next. He began to cry, trying to hide his tears from everyone.

The teacher called on me. “Please move into the chair next to him and help him with his work.” I’d been chosen. She knew me, knew my abilities, my temperament. He and I worked together—him sniffing and blowing, me telling him the answers (which was probably not exactly what the teacher wanted me to do, but hey, I was only eight years old.)

Today’s Scripture spoke volumes to me about whom our Lord chooses to fulfill His plans. If it were up to us, we would never have chosen Judas, a thief, to hold the money bag; we would not choose someone with an unrepentant heart to minister alongside Jesus. But Jesus knew the right choice. Certain things had to happen—they had been foretold long ago, and Judas was the person for the job.

Likewise, Jesus knows those He has chosen to join Him in kingdom work. He knows our abilities, likes and dislikes, integrity, work ethic, and so forth. There are components of the Father’s will that are still in process, and He knows just the person for the job.

That’s why we don’t need to worry that we “can’t” do what He asks. He knows the ones He has chosen for certain tasks, and as long as we’re abiding in Him, the Father’s will shall be accomplished. Even if you feel like the least likely to succeed in an endeavor, we must not question the wisdom of God in choosing us. “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33)

“Though we may not yet understand why You have chosen us to do certain works, we pray for the grace and strength to do them according to Your plan in wisdom. Thank You for choosing us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”