“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:11-14 (NIV)
If you’ve ever seen Charles Schultz’s cartoon Charlie Brown, you know the little boy Pigpen who walks around in a cloud of dust. You and I were initially just like Pigpen; yet God looked beyond our sullied selves and saw potential. Not because of our merits or qualifications but because He looks, not at our outward appearance, but our hearts. He sees the potential of a heart that is willing to yield to His touch.
God did not pick names out of a hat, nor sing Eenie Meenie Miney Mo and land on you perchance. He picked you out of a lineup of lost souls and said, “I want that one. That’s the one I want for my kingdom.”
Why you? Why me? I don’t know, but boy am I thankful He chose me to redeem and lavish His love upon! Not just a drop or a trickle, not even just enough to get me through each day, but to overflowing, like a dam whose floodgates have been opened.