You, like I, have probably wondered how some people get chosen for certain jobs, specific roles or they have been plucked out of mediocrity to become the next big star. You shake your head while watching American Idol, The X Factor and The Voice and say to yourself and those around you, “What the heck? I could do better than that clown.” And you probably could.
Or the kid you struck out almost every time you played against him in high school baseball, and now he just signed a $170 million 10 year deal and you are sitting in the nose bleed section of the stadium watching him strike out again.
How people are chosen always fascinates me. Always.
After a person is selected for a job I always want to do a post hiring interview with the hiring manager and ask the following questions. Why that guy? What was it about her that stood out? Was it their experience or their leadership ability? Out of all the candidates what was it about that individual that drove your decision to select them?
With that said, I have recently began to study what it means to be a follower of Christ. Not a fan of Jesus or of religion but a follower of his teaching, of his leading, to leave everything behind, to follow Him.
I am beyond curious as to what it was about each disciple that caused Jesus to choose them from many others. Why did they stand out from so many? Pretty much a rough bunch of guys. Mostly non-educated men who if you looked at them walking toward you as a group you might choose to go to the other side of the street. Yet, something about them, their experience in fishing, or their passion to overthrow a government, or their position as a tax collector, something drew him to them. These are the questions I want to ask Christ, “What was it about them as individuals that you knew he was the one? Or how did you know that one will be great for this? How did you know that they would leave all else behind and follow you?”
Then I wonder what in the world did he see in me to think, “I can use that guy”. You should probably ask the same question of yourself. In fact, jot down a few items that if among a great crowd of people, what is it about you that would cause Jesus to stop and say to you as an individual, “Follow me.” This exercise alone should bring you encouragement today.
Maybe you are one of those who believe you found God and Christ rather than Him finding you.
Consider these verses.
“He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pen.” Psalm 78:70
“You did not choose me, but I chose you.” John 15:16
“But God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise.” I Corinthians 1:27
“He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things…” I Corinthians 1:28
If God can recognize his own handiwork in you, and see something that He can work with, then when Christ picks you out of a crowd and says, “Follow me”, then what do you do.
You might respond in the following manner.
I have been married multiple times and the marriage I am in is not in good shape either. He’s already heard that one.
My father just died, let me take care of all his estate and business and then I will.
He’s already heard that one.
I have a lot of money and cars and possessions.
He’s already heard that one.
I can’t speak. I stutter. Moses used that one.
I am the weakest of the weak. Gideon tried that one.
I might abandon you when the pressure hits. Peter already did.
So you can come up with all kinds of reasons why you can’t follow him.
However, if He didn’t think you could do it, He wouldn’t have asked you.
JHH
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