Beyond Camp Student EditionSample

When You’re Not Chosen

My friend posted a video of him training with his high school football team. Others congratulated him for getting a place on the team. But his post made me feel useless. I hadn’t been chosen.

A guy in the Bible named Joseph was passed over in a choosing process called casting lots. He was one of two men in the running to replace the former disciple, Judas, who’d died. Jesus had gone back to heaven. The disciples prayed in Acts chapter 1, “Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen.” The group cast lots, and “Matthias was selected.”

Everyone congratulated Matthias, but I wonder how Joseph handled the rejection. Did he sit alone in self-pity or distance himself from the others? Did he wonder what people thought about the quality of his heart? Or did he confidently remain in a less obvious role?

I know my first reaction. I’d grumble, “If you don’t want me, fine. Let’s see how you do without me.” That choice might feel better at first, but it would only make me miserable in the long run—and make everybody around me miserable too. My choice would focus me on me, and that never works.

Joseph isn’t mentioned again in the Bible, so we don’t know how he reacted. But we do know how we react when we’re not chosen for the things we want. May we talk with God and find our identity in Him.

Written by Our Daily Bread

How do you feel, and what do you do when you’re not chosen? How could your choices or reactions actually stop you from God’s next steps for you?

Father God, even when I’m passed over and not chosen, help me to see who I am in You!