God Chose A Girl
by Judy Glanz
I was captured by this phrase spoken this spring by Elisa Morgan, former president of MOPS International at Selah Women’s conference in Oregon. It captured me for several reasons:
As a woman, I like to be chosen. It makes me feel thought of and special even after I said, “I do.” I love it when my husband takes time to ask me to do something with him, just the two of us or chooses me to take a drive, run errands, etc. It feels good to be chosen knowing that someone wants to spend time with me.
It captured me because of who did the choosing: God. God chose a girl to accomplish His purposes. In this case it was little adolescent Mary, whom God was choosing to be the mother of our Lord Jesus, the Savior of the world. The creator of the universe, who could do or choose anything that He wanted within the scope of who He is, chose a girl as the vessel to usher in His kingdom.
It captured me because I am a GIRL! And God chose me!! Simple, yes. But this seed of truth sown deep down into my soul has gripped me and changed my life, my view of life and my perspective of others.
Because we have still yet to see what God can do through any of us who have been captured, chosen by the Father of Lights to live for Him 100% all the time. He is at work, still working to remake me and it is difficult. Not easy. Not simple. But because He has chosen me I live Loved! Wow, that changes me every day: to live loved by the One who possesses everlasting love. Hallelujah!
My view of life that I have been chosen by God sets me apart. And His choice of you sets you apart. The Apostle Paul says it well:
“I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me, the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and delivered Himself up for me.” Gal. 2:20
I am not my own any longer. Thank God because I would surely make a mess of things when left to rule my life and I still do when I move out from under submission to the Father and away from a surrendered life modeled by my Lord Jesus. For being chosen by God means that I am living into the exchanged life declared by Paul. Christ in me, the hope of glory.
My perspective of others has changed because God chose me. They are fellow sojourners on this path of God’s choice. Learning together what it means to live the life of chosen by God. Me choosing to live unto El Elyon, the Most High God, bowing to His timing, His sovereignty, His wisdom, His plan, leading and direction. Together.
I have, by God’s grace been leading a group of women in youth ministry in the Portland area for a number of years. We gather monthly to talk about how and where God is showing up in our lives, ministries and students’ lives. We seek the Lord, pray, affirm one another and resource our lives and ministries. It feels like the power and strength of heaven when we gather. What gifts we have been given! To be chosen, to live loved, to carry the life of Christ in us to one another…together.
Judy Glanz is the Professor of Educational and Women's Ministry at Multnomah University, Portland, Oregon.
