As part of Christian Writer's Blog Chain, this month's topic is " Celebrate" I hope you enjoy!
Growing up I always dreaded playing sports. It's not
that I didn't like sports or playing games, but those with the best
skills were snatched up first, everyone wants to be picked to play on
the winning team. I don't know about you, truthfully I never had much
confidence in my abilities and as name after name was called, my anxiety
grew. No one wanted to be the last called, otherwise known as the
“Mercy Pick.”
It should be comforting to know that God chose us first,
before the foundations of the earth. It was not based on our
performance, but His love for us (John 15:16). Every single hair is
counted (Matthew 10:30). Every day is numbered. He knew everything we
would do before a single day had passed (Psalms 139:16). Still He
chose us to play on His team.
When we think of all those great hero’s of faith that
have gone before, we may not feel as if our life could possibly mean
as much, but in deed it does. We have the benefit of hindsight as
historians recant the tale of their lives within a few pages, but
they lived and breathed as we.
Those hero's experienced the same uncertainty, hardship,
betrayal, trials and victories that we do in our daily lives, yet we
consider the steps they took as brilliant or somehow knowing they
would succeed, yet they had no more insight than we, they just walked by
faith trusting the Lord for the outcome.
The Lord has called each of us to be on His team, not
based on our abilities but on our faith in Him. “For when we are
weak” surrounded by flesh, “then we are strong”, built in
faith (2 Corinthians 12: 8-10).
The Lord takes a great amount of pleasure in blessing
us. So let us celebrate being surrounded in God's love and
strengthened by the courage that we have been picked first!
13 comments:
I loved this post, Terrie. Although I completely agree that we celebrate having been picked "first," I can't get out of my head the fact that each and every one of us is a "Mercy Pick" by God--'cause not one of us is good enough on our own to be on His team.
I really love that. This was a unique and wonderful take on our theme!
Thank you Carol! It is true that we could be considered a "mercy pick" it's not about us, our abilities or skills, because the Lord gave those to us. But, the Lord sees us who we truly are, the plans He has for us, each uniquely gifted to honor His greatness,power and grace. I stand in awe. Peace and Blessings!
Wonderful(?) school day memories. I was always one of the last kids picked. The ones who knew what the game was all about put us in a position where we could do the least amount of damage. Fortunately, we're all a "First Pick" when it comes to the Lord.
Peace and Blessings
very thought provoking. I was always chosen near the end of the pack myself since I am not a sports lover and not that 'good' at most team sports. I have other talents, though, but there was rarely a team for 'arts and culture' activities... :) I'm glad God can see each of us for who we really are - his kids.
Thanks for the post Terrie - It is a great thought that He chose us before the foundation of the world.
Hi Terrie,
I like the reminder that God chose us before the foundation of the world.
always got picked last too
God picked us first without any hesitation
when you pick pick fruit you wash it and prepare it or flowers you trim and arrange them
i celebrate the fact with you
biiiiiiiiiiig hug
Excellent post, Terrie. It seems many of us writers were among the "mercy picks" when it came to school sports. Probably why I chose band and being a library assistant to escape PE in high school. ;)
I'm grateful that God's "mercy picks" and "first choices" are one and the same. Thank the Lord for His grace and mercy.
And thank you for an encouraging and unique take on our topic.
Terrie, I love this post. Thank you! When you spoke of heros of the faith and how we consider, "the steps they took as brilliant or somehow knowing they would succeed, yet they had no more insight than we, they just walked by faith trusting the Lord for the outcome." Very good insight, and very encouraging.
Love your sports metaphor for your post - it is so fitting!
Amen, girl! Preach it.
I was always into sports, and I was always the one picking those the others didn't want to choose. And you know what? They turned out to be the best players of all.
That's what I love about God. No matter how others see us, we're His choice, His pick. Great post.
Another great post, Terrie. Your words echoed my own thoughts, always being the outsider, never one of the popular insiders. And you are so right, with God, we are not only chosen first, we always have the inside track with Him. Beautifully written.
Part of my passion for God's Word is reminding myself and others that the heroes of the faith "experienced the same uncertainty, hardship, betrayal, trials, and victories that we do." They were real people living real lives and that is exactly why we can learn from them and relate to them.
Thanks for sharing!
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