Point Of ViewSample

Recruited

When I think about God having called us by name and reserved a place for us, I think of the National Football League draft. Other people may not think of that, but I’m a player’s wife. I have spent a lot of time around the NFL. When draft picks are announced, it’s a big deal. In a televised event, each player’s name is called, and he receives a jersey with his name on it and a hat. Immediately. Once he’s chosen, he’s part of the team. 

God is excited to have you belong to Him too. In fact, He can hardly wait for you to accept the spot He has reserved for you. He knows you did not earn the spot; that was not an option. It’s a gift. He knows you really don’t deserve it, and He knows He will never trade you for anything or anyone. Ever. Because you are His. 

God wants you to act like you are already on the team, not like you are simply trying out. There are a couple of Scripture verses that are important to me when I think about this. One is Zechariah 4:6. This verse has always encouraged me to rest and find freedom in the fact that doing what God wants me to do is not up to me alone. His Spirit is my helper (John 14:26). The other verse is Philippians 4:13. Both verses make essentially the same point—that when you and I belong to God, we can count on Him to help us do everything He wants us to do. 

I am not ever going to fully understand what God has done, because it flows from such radical love and desire for an imperfect me. In this example, though, I see how I can live as though I am recruited and called by name, or I can keep trying to earn God’s love and a place in heaven by my own works. But the reality is, I can never earn that spot because it has already been purchased for me. 

You can rest in the fact that you are chosen. You are God’s top recruit. So put on your jersey knowing you have made the team. All you have to do now is show up and get into the game! 

What name that God calls you speaks to you right now: chosen? Forgiven? Beautiful? Worthy? Citizen? Son? Daughter? Beloved? Redeemed? Why does that word speak to you right now?