Everybody wants to be chosen. We’re fooling ourselves if we think we don’t. All humans have a deeply rooted desire to be chosen, because we were made to be chosen by Christ. Jesus chose us because he loves us, and he has chosen us for a purpose.
It’s easy to get caught up in wondering what our purpose is in this life, in this season, in the world, but Jesus makes our purpose clear: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12, NIV). We get lost in decisions such as: What college should I go to? Should I take this new job? What should I do with my life in retirement? And we want God to give us clear answers for a clear purpose, but he has already made his purpose clear. His command is that we would love each other as he has loved us.
It doesn’t matter what college you go to, it matters that you love people like Jesus at your college. It doesn’t matter what job you have, it matters that you love people like Jesus at your job. It doesn’t matter what you do in retirement, it matters that you love people like Jesus wherever you go. We have been chosen by Christ to love others just like he has loved us — what better purpose do we need?
So, the question is, how does Jesus love us? He loves us sacrificially. Jesus gave everything in order to make us sons and daughters of the King. Jesus loves up close, not far away. He loves us when it seems inconvenient. He loves us intentionally and intimately. Jesus’s love is full of grace and truth. He relentlessly pursues us. He loves us when we don’t give love in return. First, we must take in this love, then we can live our purpose of giving it out.
Reflection/Discussion Question: How does it feel to know that you’ve been chosen by Jesus?
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