“Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.” This week’s Gospel message hooked me with the opening line. I am continually amazed that Jesus knows us and intentionally chooses us. For some reason we do not put a lot of value on ourselves. Generally speaking, we count ourselves unworthy of love, unworthy of special treatment, or compare ourselves to others and find fault in what we have to offer. But God, the creator of the Universe, perfect in every imaginable way, does not see us in that light. Ephesians 1:4 says “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”

When Jesus chose the Apostles, he had a plan for them. He didn’t just hand pick these men to stand by his side and look good. He had an intended purpose for them. Likewise, He has similar expectations for us. When he chooses us, He hopes that we will be His hands and feet. “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name” (John 15:16). When I look at my own life, I have to ask myself what is the “fruit” God wants to see from me. Reflecting on the here and now, I think God is asking me to boldly share with others the truth of the Gospel.

I recently started a bible study with a close friend my age. We went through the Gospel message and through that time together, she became convicted of her sin and made the life altering decision to follow Jesus. I was elated for her to experience God’s love and mercy, but a few weeks later she asked to stop participating in our ongoing bible study. She said she was feeling confused and needed time to reflect and decide if Christianity was right for her. As you can imagine, I was disappointed by her response. I felt like I was obeying God’s prompt to share and it did not turn into the fruit I was expecting. I am blessed to have such a supportive husband who reminded me that our time together was not wasted. God is always planting seeds and then he recalled Romans 8:28: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

What I learned was this: God called me out of love and I need to respond. Regardless of the outcome, God will work it out for my good.