Women’s Devotion: Chosen by God

Chosen by God

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1

When I was in elementary school, I always got nervous when it was time to choose teams at recess. I knew I wouldn’t ever be the first one chosen but I didn’t want to be the last either. I didn’t want to ever disappoint the one who would choose me.

Lately, some women at Sheridan have joined the many people around the world who are watching the series The Chosen. Maybe you’ve seen it promoted on social media. It is a series about those men and women Jesus chose to follow him. While the creators of this series do use some creative license to add to the Biblical readings, those additions to the historical background and setting of what life was most likely like in 30 A.D. at the time of Christ, have enhanced not only my understanding of the times, but my reflections about Jesus, his followers and my own calling.

Those Jesus chose to follow him were most likely the last people we would choose and the last ones society and the religious leaders of the time would have deemed worthy to sit at the feet of the Messiah.

When God spoke the words of Isaiah 43, the people of Israel were far from worthy of God’s love and redemption, in fact, they were in outright rebellion. But God had chosen them as his people and God never turned away looking for a better people to call his own. He spoke his love over them, choosing them as His own before they agreed to be.

And so it is with us. Turns out none of us are chosen by God on our merits! What a relief! God chooses us as his children at our Baptism. God has called us by name. How we view ourselves doesn’t determine how God sees us. Our unworthiness doesn’t alter his love for us. Our value is determined not by what we do but by the one we belong to.

During this Holy Week and Easter season, we again remember all that Jesus has done for us because of his love for us. We are in awe that the one who chose us could love us so much even though we continually disappoint him! And no matter what our challenges, Jesus promises that he will be with us always to the very end of the age. There is nothing we can do to not be chosen by the one who has redeemed us. Thanks be to God!

God of love and grace, thank you for choosing us, redeeming us and walking with us each and every day! Amen.

This month’s devotion is written by Kathy Paisley, leader of Sheridan’s Women’s Ministry Team. Retired in 2020 after many years in full-time ministry at Sheridan, Kathy can now focus primarily on women’s ministries and the new member process. She is a Deacon in the ELCA and a certified Spiritual Director. She is married to Ben and in this new season of life, they love more time with their two grandchildren, Kane and Vayda.