You're Elected!

So the presidential election is finally over. The country has made its choice. Whoever you wanted to win, it was a pretty remarkable night that Tuesday to see the first African American elected President of the United States. Did you watch President-Elect Obama give that speech to that crowd in Chicago that night?

This all made me think about choices we make. Things we choose to do, people we pick. A number of our Triniteen youth went to a dance this past weekend, and that made me think about my first school dance. I wasn’t going to go, but then my best friend Jeff kept saying “You gotta go, you gotta go! I'mmmmmm going!!” Finally, after two weeks of Jeff being on my case, I gave in. “Okay," I said, "I’ll go.” But who would I pick to ask? I had a crush on Susan and decided to ask her. It would be the first time I ever asked a girl out -- and I was terrified! After a couple false starts, I finally got up my nerve and asked her if she’d like to go. She was shocked I think that I asked her. “I’ll get back to you” she said – and I was hanging in limbo! But the next day she said yes! I was thrilled, but also pretty nervous. But Jeff was going to be there with his date, so it would be okay. Until the day before the dance. That’s when Jeff told me that because of something or other, he COULDN’T go after all!! I couldn’t believe it.

So what choices do you make? If you just went to the dance this weekend, what was it like for you to ask someone to go? Or, what was it like to be asked -- or not asked? Are you getting ready to try out for a team, a club, band or something and you’re hoping that you'll get picked? Ever been in a situation when you weren’t picked for something you really wanted to do?

This makes me think about John 15:16 when Jesus says “You did not choose me but I chose you.” That’s “election” – a doctrine of the church that says that before we made any move, God chooses us. God chooses YOU. God picks you, votes for you, wants you to be on God’s team. No matter what. So if you’re having a tough day, feeling as though no one wants you, remember that God is picking you, choosing you, every moment of every day.

How cool is that?

Peace!

Pat