“You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to Me, He gives you.” John 15:16
Jesus wanted to make it clear that He chose you first. Why is this distinction so important? Because He wanted you to know that He didn’t choose you out of obligation. Most people love someone else because he is family or because of what that person has to offer, i.e. he makes me feel good, he provides for me, or he did something for me, etc. Jesus loved you and chose you before you had any affections for Him, before you had anything to offer Him. You were chosen not because of what you have to offer or how good of a person you are; you were hand picked to bear fruit simply because He chose you.
You were chosen by God to “bear fruit,” to advance His kingdom. You’ve been given unique skills, talents, and personality to do so, and you simply need to ask God to provide in areas where you lack: You may feel like you are a poor speaker – Moses in the Bible was like this, and yet God provided for him and used him to bring the Israelites out of slavery and into the promised land. You may feel like you don’t know enough, or you are not confident enough, or you don’t have what it takes. Rest assured, He has chosen you and will give you whatever you feel you lack to accomplish His purposes for you.
How has God uniquely gifted you to serve His kingdom? What is keeping you from using those gifts and talents for Him? Is it courage? Knowledge? Desire? Awareness?
Spend some time confessing to The Lord what you feel you lack, and ask Him to provide those things.
You were created for a greater purpose than you allow yourself to believe. God has chosen you specifically to advance His kingdom. How cool is that?!
