Have you wondered, what does it mean to be chosen by God? I hope so because it is a life-changing question that will lead you on a journey of revelation and growth.
Nothing is required for us to be chosen by God. Jesus already accomplished our salvation over 2000 years ago on a cross.
I always knew this truth, but understanding God’s love for me was illustrated and became real through the adoption of our son from Mongolia.
Chosen
On a chilly day in April 2006 my husband, Cory, entered a Mongolian orphanage. He walked around the clean, sterile environment and noticed the children observing him. This tall, strange man suddenly appeared in their very private world.
He walked around with many small eyes looking at him as he searched for our son. As his heart ached for the many orphans surrounding him, there was one little boy he had to find.
Out of the many orphans in the room, there was one child destined to be our son. We had already chosen and already loved him.
You are Chosen by God
As my husband entered the nursery, he quickly spotted Bayarra, the name given to our baby boy whose face he had memorized from a single photo sent to us. As he peered into the crib, Bayarra quizzically looked up at him.
He gently lifted him and embraced his son; a fragile, premature, four-pound baby abandoned at birth. Bayarra’s well-meaning caregivers cautioned us that his development may be affected due to his weak condition.
What they didn’t understand was the power that love and adoption into an eager family would have on his life.
Most of us can relate to feeling alone, confused or worn down by life’s circumstances. We seek an enveloping acceptance deep in our soul. We want to understand what does it mean to be chosen by God and believe we are special and God’s beloved.
It seems this ache is part of human existence to help us acknowledge our need for a Savior.
Jesus Chose You
We sometimes let the fear of being ignored and forgotten define us more than the assurance that we are chosen and loved. But we have a Deliverer who never forgets us and always chooses to call us His own.
When Jesus came to earth and died, Jesus chose us and eagerly awaited our arrival. Once we say yes to God, the story continues as He gently lifts us from places of fear, loneliness, disappointment, and despair.
“My choice is you, God, first and only: and then you made me an heir.”
Psalm 16:5
You are God’s Beloved
Adoption into God’s family makes you an heir to all His promises and you can rest in the knowledge that you are God’s beloved.
You can trust that you are worthy and not an impostor with something to prove. You can fully grasp what does it mean to be chosen by God and walk in contentment and with a purpose!
“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant:God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are.
We know who He is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us””an unbelievable inheritance!”
Romans 8:15-17
What Does it Mean to be Chosen by God?
My adopted son lives with an incredible amount of confidence and expectancy in his life which is rooted in his sense of belonging. He knows what does it mean to be chosen by God and by us. He is free from the trap of feeling unworthy.
As a chosen one, we too can walk with more confidence and a sense of belonging living “adventurously expectant” of what God is doing.
We can pray and ask God to fill us with the assurance of His love so we can walk out our God-given purpose.
“So, what do you think? With God on our side how can we lose?”
Romans 8:31
Do you understand what does it mean to be chosen by God and that you are God’s beloved? I pray this story of adoption touches you and helps you live in the reality of God’s love for you.
For further reading on God’s love for you, the Bible is a great place to start!
Author
Mary Rooney Armand
Mary is the creator and writer for the faith-based blog ButterflyLiving.org. Her writing is featured on multiple websites. She is the author of, “Identity, Understanding, and Accepting Who I Am in Christ” and “Life Changing Stories“—a collaboration with 34 authors available on Amazon.
Beautiful story and Truth thank you Mary
Nikki
Thanks Nikki!
Beautifully said.
I have been in awe observing you and Cory and your walk with the Lord as God’s children. There has been one testimony after another to what faith combined with action can do for God’s glory.
Never mind this all occured in the midst of Katrina. It would have been so easy to back off in such an unsettling time, but you leaned even closer to God and saved this precious baby. So.much.love!! And the kind of love that moves mountains!
Thanks Heidi!
Wonderfully said!
Thanks Noel!
Such an amazing story and a testimony of love. Gods love is so much more than we can ever imagine and I am so thankful for people in my life like you to show us how He always loves and provides.
Thanks Toni! I am humbled by your love!!
Mary my heart overflowed with love while reading your story. It was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing it.
Thanks Kathy! I don’t think you have met Sawyer. We left Houston before he was adopted.
[…] into our hearts and lives from an orphanage in Mongolia. He does not question who he is, who he belongs to and what his identity is. He knows we love him and he belongs to […]
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