Scripture
Our verse for today comes from John 15:16, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”
Background
My friend’s daughter wants to be a Physician Assistant. For the past several months, she visited several schools and interviewed for admission. She liked several, eliminated a few immediately, and eventually came up with her top two choices. Her favorites were Northwestern, in Chicago, and Wake Forest, in near-by Winston-Salem.
Not long ago, Wake Forest accepted her into the program, and offered her the somewhat exclusive opportunity to also pursue a form of a Master’s in Business degree along with her PA degree. Not having heard from Northwestern, she eagerly accepted. But a few days ago, Northwestern contacted her with news of her acceptance into their program as well. And now, her ordered world is in chaos. What seemed like a clear path to her future has now been muddled up with a very difficult choice. And she has ten short days in which to find clarity and direction.
Application
We like to choose things. Little makes us recoil as much as the thought of not being able to decide things for ourselves. But sometimes, choosing is more difficult than not. Other times, it’s impossible. As in the relationship we have with our Savior. For as clearly as many of us may remember making that decision to follow Jesus, surrendering our lives to His will, He makes it very clear that He chose us. It was His will, His grace, His mercy that saved us. And more than that, He appointed us to a cause. And it is a cause so great that God stands waiting to grant whatever we ask, if we will simply be true to our appointing. If we would go, if we would bear fruit, if that fruit would endure, and if we would ask God in the holy name of Jesus, then the will of God and the desires of our heart would converge and bring about eternal glory for Him. But you do have to choose. You have to choose to obey. You have to choose to live a life holy in His name. You have to choose to go bear fruit. It may seem difficult, but the choice is yours.
Charge
As we seek Him today, decide to accept your appointment from God and let Him show you His map of your future.
Author – Rich Holt | BCWorldview.org
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