(Originally published 8-29-2013)

Softball was my least favorite sport.

It had a lot to do with how the game started…choosing sides.

I was little and skinny and usually chosen last. As I grew my coordination became worse which made me even more undesirable as a teammate. The only time I wasn’t chosen last was if there was someone smaller and skinnier than I was. (It didn’t happen often.)

On rare occasions one of the captains happened to be my Dad. I can still hear him say,

“I choose Karen!”

Not with reluctance, but with love and confidence. He chose me, not because of my great athletic ability, but because he loved me and wanted me on his team.

That’s how it is with God. I Thessalonians 1:4 says

“knowing brethren beloved by God, His choice of you.”

God has picked me! I’m weak and sinful and mess up often, but He loves me and wants me on His team. How can I help but love and serve such a God?

For further study:

I Corinthians 1:27-28; Colossians 3:12; I Peter 2:9