Today’s scripture: John 15:12-17 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Melody Merida):
When I was a kid my neighborhood friends and I would gather in the field next to my house every Saturday morning to play a game of some sort. One of my neighbors had a terrific memory and she would keep track of who was captain each week. The captains were the ones who selected the team members, bossed the players around, and argued over the rules. As game time approached, the selections would begin.
It was always the same two who were chosen first each week: Shawn and Ronnie. After those two, there was always some shuffling based on how well we played the Saturday before. Because of my modest athletic skills I was usually chosen in the middle of the pack. Not surprisingly it was the same one or two kids who were left over each and every Saturday. We would all watch as they began the selection process with anxious anticipation, hoping that on this one day they would be picked first. But they never were. After about the third choice for each team their heads would hang low as they realized it was happening again. They would not be chosen; they would be the last ones left.
One Friday evening I was so eager to go to bed and get to Saturday because our memory keeper had informed me that it would be my turn to be captain! My mom mentioned very casually to me that night that it sure would be nice if a captain chose first those who were usually chosen last.
The next day as we were set to begin our selections I noticed that my mom was watching from the edge of the garage. To choose the little kids first would mean certain defeat; to choose the big kids would mean we could surely win. I took a timeout and ran over to my mom. I asked her if I chose the little kids first would she let me stay up later than my brothers and eat ice cream for dessert. She said no; she said that I should just do the right thing because it would make me feel good. I ran back to the group and chose Shawn; my mom turned around and walked back into the garage.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you,” says Jesus. Thank God that Jesus doesn’t choose teams the same way I did. If for your entire life you have been last in line, waiting to be chosen, overlooked and dismissed, know that Jesus has chosen you! No longer do you have to hope that someday someone will see you and say, “You, you are the one I choose!” Jesus has already chosen you! Will you choose him too?
Thought for the day: Thank you, Jesus, for choosing me! May I share that type of love by choosing first those who are last. Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.