We all desire to be chosen – to be selected to enjoy a special insider relationship with others. And this is more than merely being tolerated. We want to be uniquely and even passionately desired for who we are.
And this started from birth. From the beginning, we wanted to know our parents looked forward to and welcomed our arrival into the world. And a personal invitation to a class party or social event carried much more weight than the generic invitations for all.
This desired followed us into adulthood as well. We still desire to be uniquely chosen in our work, marriage, and even friendships, for example.
To be chosen is to be seen, accepted, and desired for who we are. All too often this desire leads us to put on many masks and play the part we think others expect of us. And eventually this leads to much anxiety and hiding. The fear of not being chosen doesn’t give us the freedom to be our true selves. At other times, the desire is exaggerated to the point we believe we’re the only ones who can fulfill a certain role. And while no one can take our place in the sense of our unique quirks and personalities, our desire to be chosen must not give way to pride.
As God replaced King Saul with King David, we must also humbly remember we’re not irreplaceable either. All the same, being passionately chosen by others does help to affirm God’s love for us. It’s easier to believe the truth that God chooses us when others choose us as well. On the other hand, we tend to doubt our worth when we feel not chosen.
In the end, accepting our desire to be chosen reminds us to live in the freedom of who God has created us to be.
However undesirable you think you are, remember God has passionately and uniquely chosen you, and loves you for who you are.
Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash
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