April 14

You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you. John 15:16.

We often think that we have chosen Jesus, yet this is the opposite of what has happened. He has chosen us! We need to fully understand how remarkable this is, for as we realistically consider our own merits there is perhaps not much worthy of being chosen. I recall my days as a youth and the many times we would “choose up sides.” We would be looking for skills, for strength, for leadership qualities, or whatever, but when the finger was pointed at us we could swell with pride over being “chosen.” It was a good feeling. I need to recapture that feeling when I consider the actions of the Great Chooser, Jesus.

It is apparent that the path of our being chosen by God has more to do with the nature of God than with our nature. He is so loving, so bent upon sharing His life with us, that our merits are not even considered at all. He only asks that we are open to the idea of having some faith in Him—a mustard seed portion will more than do. “Trust Him”, He is saying, and He will come into your life—and You are chosen. It goes without saying that you are now on the winning team.

Father, I want to be a fruit bearer. You have chosen me in a way that goes well beyond my own understanding. But I am available to receive the nourishing flow of Your life into mine, so that I may bear Your fruit. I want only to listen to You, and to respond to You in a way that will produce a lasting effect upon this world. If I ask anything of You it is that I become more like You. Thank You and Amen.
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