Friday, November 13, 2026

Scripture

“He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.” Ephesians 1:4

Reflections

A group of children need to divide into teams to play a game.  One-by-one, names are called out, drafting them to one side or the other.  The best players get picked first.  The worst are picked last.  No one wants to be the last one picked.

Time and time again, we see it happening.  The first ones picked take great joy in their athletic abilities.  They feel good about themselves.  They have a lot of fun.  The last ones picked become acutely aware of their inferiority.  Their teammates resent having them on their team, unkind when they don’t play well, quick to blame.  They feel unwanted.

When it comes to being a part of God’s people, there is no last pick.  We were chosen by him before the world was even created.  We were chosen by him before we even had an opportunity to demonstrate whether we’d be good players on the field.

When we do mess up, we feel badly.  We turn to our loving Lord God and he feels the same disappointment that we do.  He doesn’t take us off the field.  He doesn’t hold it against us.  He just roots us on.

Whether you recognize it or not, you are wanted.  You are valued.  You are claimed.  You are given a very special role as a part of God’s people.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for choosing me, even when there are times I would not choose myself.  Open my eyes to see those who see themselves as unwanted this day.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Ephesians 1:1-14