He Chose Me - Encouragement for Today - August 18, 2023
He Chose Me
JOBY SALICETI, COMPEL Training Member
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“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last …” John 15:16 (NIV)
I stared blankly at the home-schooling manual I was clutching tightly, not sure exactly where to begin.
Meanwhile, my two young daughters watched me with big, eager eyes. After months of asking and begging to try home-schooling, they bubbled with excitement to begin finally. They even wanted to start in the middle of summer.
Now they sat waiting for their math lesson. I, however, waited for the earth to open up and swallow me.
Taking a deep breath, I prayed for God to lead me on the inaugural day of this new journey. After all, He had led me here, and He would guide me now, as Jesus says in John 15:16:
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last …”
Jesus spoke these words to His disciples hours before His arrest and crucifixion. The disciples didn’t know what was to come — but Jesus did. Despite His own human feelings of fear or dread that He may have wrestled with at that moment, our Savior poured His efforts into encouraging His friends.
The disciples had work to do, even on the difficult road they were about to tread. They had to crest the mountain of mourning to reach the path of purpose and impact others in a lasting way. Their impact multiplied through generations.
My efforts in home-schooling can have an impact too. I have no background in teaching. I do, however, have a plentiful supply of fear. Thankfully, I also have access to the ultimate Instructor — Jesus. He placed this desire in my heart months ago. I know it came from Him, not me.
What has God called you to that feels impossible? What fear-filled road are you walking along?
Friend, we all face fear sometimes. We are human, after all. But we don’t have to face fear alone. If God has called you, you can trust that He is with you. He will supply all of your needs and bring forth fruit from your obedience to Him (Philippians 4:19).
As I gripped the math manual, I also held tightly to the surety that God had called me to this new role. Despite the waves of fear threatening to take me under, I stood firmly on solid ground.
My daughters and I made it through that first day. That doesn’t mean the days that have followed have been a breeze — they haven’t. But Jesus is with us, and our time is fruitful.
No matter what God has instructed you to do — no matter what feelings of fear or inadequacy you’re struggling with — trust that He brought you here, He is with you, and He will multiply the impact of your obedience more than you could ever know.
Father, what an honor it is to be used by You for Your glory. May we trust You daily in the work You have called us to so that others may know the fullness of Your love for them. Help us remember that this road is not about us — it’s always about You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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ENGAGE
Today’s devotion writer, Joby Saliceti, is a member of COMPEL Training. You can find writing tips, inspiration and community when you follow COMPEL on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (NIV).
Deuteronomy 7:6, “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession” (NIV).
What is something you’re sensing the Lord leading you to do? What fears might you face in obeying Him? Let us know how we can pray for you in the comments.
© 2023 by Joby Saliceti. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
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